Is Simone Susinna Gay?

Last evening, Michele Morrone's simple selfie generated significant online attention. Undeniably, he was shirtless - but more importantly, he was pictured with another shirtless man in an intimate, couple-like pose. Posted on the first day of Pride Month, and accompanied by the cryptic caption "I'm a liar," the image immediately sparked speculation about a potential relationship.

The ensuing online frenzy is substantial. Google Trends reveals eight prominent search terms directly concerning Michele Morrone's sexuality. Alongside queries about "365 Days" - the problematic film catapulting him to fame - and "Simone Susinna," the man in the photograph, trending searches include "Is Michael Morrone gay?", "Is Massimo gay?", and "Is Michelle Morrone gay?" (a recurring theme, apparently, is fans' struggles with spelling his name correctly).

Beyond the online searches, social media is rife with discussions. The photograph amassed over 60,000 comments - a considerable surge above his typical engagement - and his name trended on Twitter following its release. Comments like "another one bites the dust, ladies" generated over 25,000 likes, with numerous others demanding an immediate public declaration of his sexual orientation.

Beyond the frankly inappropriate demands for personal disclosures about sexuality, a serious omission pervades all this activity: the pervasive erasure of bisexuality and pansexuality. Public records reveal Michele's marriage to Rouba Saadeh and two sons with her. Furthermore, following his divorce, he was publicly linked to Italian ballet dancer Elena D'Amario.

While the possibility of Michele's eventual public declaration of gay identity later in life, after periods of heterosexual relationships, is certainly not improbable, the option of bisexuality or pansexuality is equally valid, a fact frequently ignored.

Indeed, until Michele publicly defines his sexual identity, speculation is unwarranted. This is not to suggest that he is not gay or bisexual, but rather to emphasize to those who saw his intimate picture with Simone that bisexuality is a genuine identity. Sexuality is a nuanced spectrum, not a binary choice; a man engaging with another man can self-identify in various ways, including as bisexual, pansexual, or queer. The simplistic equation of "man with another man, therefore gay" is patently insufficient.

Moreover, a bisexual identity does not diminish a man's desirability nor invalidate relationships he has had with others. Before lamenting the presumed 'loss' for women relating to a potential queer orientation, it's critical to acknowledge this.

Further Reading:

Does the portrayal of Bisexuality Continue to Fall Short?

A Study Reveals Women Are Three Times More Likely to Be Bisexual Than Men.

Navigating the Complexities of Bisexual Dating