Bisexuality remains one of the most underrepresented aspects of LGBTQIA+ identity in both literature and media, despite its significant role in the broader conversation around sexual diversity.
Author Peter Matthews confronts this erasure head-on in his new book, The Elixir Effect, using it as a lens to critique the rigid constructs of masculinity and the narrow boxes society often forces people into.
In an exclusive interview with The Back Cover, Matthews discussed the book’s exploration of bisexuality, drawing attention to how this facet of identity is often misunderstood or overlooked.
“It is equally underrepresented in the world of literature and film, all of the stories we tell and we grow up on, as it is underrepresented in real life,” he said.
Matthews, a long-time ally to the LGBTQIA+ community, acknowledges the discomfort society has with anything that doesn’t fit neatly into binaries—straight or gay, male or female—leading to the marginalisation of identities that don’t conform to these limits.
“Anything that falls more in between these things…our experiences, every individual is complex, we don’t fit into the boxes that we’ve ironically set up for ourselves,” Matthews explained.
His book delves into the lived experiences of characters whose struggles and triumphs don’t fall within these constructed boundaries. Matthews worked with organisations like the Sydney Bi+ Network and consulted with bisexual individuals to ensure the portrayal of bisexuality was authentic and respectful.
However, bisexuality is not the only topic Matthews tackles in the book. He also offers a hard-hitting critique of modern masculinity, arguing that for many men, traditional expectations can feel like “a very constraining, confining, sometimes almost a straight jacket, that tells us what we shouldn’t do more than what we should do.” Acknowledging his own position of privilege as a white, cisgender, straight man, Matthews revealed the profound internal conflict caused by the narrow representations of masculinity he grew up with.
“Masculinity is one of those identifiers that deserves to be challenged more often,” he said. “It does require a great deal of bravery, and it’s going to really turn your world topsy-turvy once you do it.” Matthews’ words reflect the struggle men face when stepping outside the restrictive confines of traditional gender norms—a personal and cultural battle many are hesitant to face.
Drawing on his background in theatre, where he trained for much of his adult life, Matthews brings a unique perspective to storytelling. His allyship within the LGBTQIA+ community, both in Canada and Australia, informs his work, and his writing encourages readers to question everything they thought they knew about gender, identity, and sexuality.
In The Elixir Effect, Matthews challenges societal norms by creating space for bisexuality and critiquing the often rigid conceptions of masculinity. It is a timely call for greater representation, understanding, and fluidity in the way we define ourselves, our identities, and our relationships. For readers looking to rethink the boundaries of sexuality and gender, The Elixir Effect offers a powerful narrative that defies easy categorisation and invites a more inclusive dialogue.
