Much ado has been made about The Real World D.C.’s Mike Manning for being one of the few visible bisexual men in the media. Meanwhile, it seems that the other bisexual cast member, Emily Schromm, has been relegated to the role of “the chick that has an ongoing frenemy-ish pseudo-relationship with Ty.”
Emily tells AfterEllen.com about coming out to her friends and family, her past relationships with women and what really went on during filming The Real World. AfterEllen.com: In the second episode of this season, you came out to your sister Amy. She asked whether there was a bi girl in the house, and you said it was you. She seemed surprised. Was she the first person in your family that you told? Emily Schromm: I absolutely hate labels. I think they are limiting, and until The Real World, I never had to put a label on my sexuality. I did the “Emily” as my friends said. My family is made up of all girls, minus my dad, and I told them before the show to be aware that I am very open about dating girls. Granted I should have just said “Hey, I’m bisexual,” but labels scared me before the show.
You witnessed the first time I ever verbally said my label to my sister Amy. Bless her heart, I still feel bad about that. I will say it did take The Real World making me in some way have a label to be comfortable with it.
AE: Have you discussed your bisexuality with any of your other family members or friends at home? What were their reactions? ES: I led a double life for a while, sneaking out every night with hot Starbucks-girl, who was conveniently my neighbor and then waking up early enough to eat breakfast with my “straight friends.”
After a couple weeks, I hit the point where I knew liking girls and kissing girls wasn’t just a fling, and I sat them down one by one and was very open. I was SHOCKED at their reactions. I had a lot of “that makes so much sense” and “ahhhh, I get it now” and “Duh, Emily, I am not stupid.”
My family and friends are all very supportive, and they want more than anything for me to be happy. I am very accepted by all parts of my support system, and that is the most liberating, amazing feeling one can ask for.
AE: Also in episode 2, you told Ty that you picked up a girl at Starbucks and that you dated her for a few weeks. Please tell us the secrets of picking up women in non-gay coffee chains. ES: Starbucks baristas have an unfair advantage. Who would say no with one’s caffeine addiction at stake? [Laughs] Do you ever get that “oh-my-god-there-she-is-I-can’t-think-do-I-look-ok” feeling? I think my heart would have exploded if I didn’t talk to her that one amazing morning.
AE: Do you still talk to the hot Starbucks girl? ES: Yes, we still talk. She is amazing, inside and out. And she to this day always makes fun of me about me creeping on her in Starbucks, although I think it was one of her favorite mornings too.
AE: Speaking of Ty, last Wednesday’s episode showed a side to Ty that was a bit scary. Do you gys still hang out? If you do, is it awkward? ES: All of the roommates will agree, Ty is a different person on camera and with alcohol. All of us had to fight the urge to “prove ourselves” with the cameras around. Watching ourselves is a growing process, and I think he has been shocked about some of the stuff he has seen.
He has grown in the after process more than anyone in the show, in my opinion. We hang out when it comes to MTV stuff, and I think he has apologized more times than I can count. It is nice to let go of the past, and with Ty, we started from scratch when the cameras turned off. AE: Sorry, I have to ask. Did you go out with or hook up with any women while on the set of The Real World? ES: I did indeed. I am a little shocked that in the regular season you will not see it. I have a feeling the editors wanted to continue to make the “relationship” between Ty and me look a lot more exclusive and meaningful than it ever was. “The Sh-t They Should Have Shown” show is full of fun though. *Cough cough* AE: Have you dated any women after the hot Starbucks girl? ES: I have dated more girls than guys believe it or not. At this point in my life, it is just who I am naturally drawn to. Plus women are such better kissers! Well, actually, everything for that matter! AE: A couple of episodes ago, the housemates discussed Mike’s sexuality, and they can’t seem to wrap their heads around the concept of bisexuality. Everyone keeps telling Mike that he is gay, and I recall you telling Erika and Ashley that although Mike may like boys more than he likes girls, even if he likes girls just a little bit, it means that he is still bisexual, and you used yourself as an example. Then Erika tells you that she would feel comfortable with you and Mike if either of you were to come out as gay.
It almost seemed that they treated bisexuality as a stepping stone or pit stop to ultimately choosing whether to be straight or gay, which, as you know, isn’t the case. Why do you think people have a hard time grasping the concept of bisexuality? ES: We bisexuals are greedy people! [Laughs] I consider myself lucky that I can connect with both girls and boys. I think it is so hard for some people to understand merely because they can’t relate. Almost every issue or problem arises from someone just not thinking out of the box. It is sadly the way society thinks, i.e. if you don’t relate to it or don’t understand it, shut it out. If one can’t understand it, it must not exist, which is sad.
I hate how much focus is on “bi” or “gay” when it should just be universally accepted that anyone can date anyone, and no one should judge or criticize. Maybe someday, eh?
Read our The Real World: Washington, D.C. recaps here.
