In reviewing the large volume of films (okay, five) that prominently featured bisexual women this year, I cannot help but be impressed by the courage, the diversity, the sheer breathtaking realism of it all. 2002 was the year directors and screenwriters weren't afraid to dig down deep and create characters that represented real bisexual women with real problems.

They weren't afraid to bravely tackle the issues that so many bisexual women face today: suicide, incest, drug abuse, debilitating illness, murder, and comas. I mean, that's real bisexual life, in all it's misery, and it's about time we saw more of it and less of the unrealistic images of happy-go-lucky bisexual women that seem to be everywhere these days.

It's also about time we brought some attention to all those brave, long-suffering women trapped in bad or unfaithful marriages, as Salma Hayek does so well in Frida, and pretty much everyone does well in The Hours. "Depressed bisexual artists and suburban women, unite!" these films cry. "You may be unappreciated by your husbands, but a visit from Ashley Judd or Toni Collette will soon have you tango-ing through the tulips."

Not enough people understand that bisexual women are doomed to a life of conflicted loyalties, multiple loves, and never feeling satisfied with what they have--which is why it's so critical that films like these are getting that message out there.

2002 also saw some overdue attention finally paid to the beautiful bisexual jewel thief, who has toiled in obscurity for so long. If Femme Fatale wasn't a genuine portrayal of the trails and tribulations of a beautiful bisexual jewel thief, then you might as well say Chasing Amy wasn't about a real lesbian!

Although in Femme Fatale the lesbian does meet a gruesome death and the bisexuality really wasn't necessary to the plot, we got to see Rebecca Romjin-Stamos make out with a chick! And Rebecca Romjin-Stamos injected so much realism into her role that you can't help but feel like Lily might be someone you pass in the supermarket one day (just don't be wearing a jewel-encrusted bra when you do, or she might jump you in the produce aisle--but then, that's good advice in general).

Then we have the plight of bisexual women who kiss their sisters (The Hours), or sister-in-laws (8 Women). I am glad to see this issue addressed in the mainstream media again, because so many people are curious about how bisexual women deal with their attraction to family members and distant relatives (since everyone knows bisexual women are attracted to anything that moves--not that there's anything wrong with that).

1994's Sister, My Sister was a thoughtful attempt to explore this issue, but it just didn't delve deep enough into the core of this issue, which is why I was glad to see these two movies give it a go.

And let's give it up for the manipulative, back-stabbing bisexual college students who finally got some exposure this year! Mia Kirshner's portrayal of Alicia in New Best Friend was so authentic, I almost called up my old college roommate just to say hello (until I remembered I killed her and dumped her body in the lake Senior Year.)

And Dominique Swain, as the rich-bisexual-girl-who-could (and did, often) in New Best Friend, proved once and for all that all that stuff they tell you about drugs and alcohol not mixing is just a load of bunk.

But perhaps more important than the fact that these movies broke down so many stereotypes was that we got to see lots of gratuitous girl-on-girl action. Considering how financially risky it is for a film to show two women kissing--especially attractive teenage girls--I thought it was really brave of the filmmakers to add these scenes.

So here's to a great year for bisexual women in the movies, and another one on the way. With films like Gigli on the docket, I feel confidant that 2003 will bring even more enlightenment to the issues bisexual women face today--like how to resist falling for Ben Affleck while kidnapping a mentally challenged kid.

I can hardly wait!