How Lemon Bars Became the Official Dessert of Bisexual Pride
“Welcome to the Bi side, we have lemon bars.”
Many accessories signal belonging in the LGBTQIA2S+ community—flags, bandanas, carabiners—but for those in the Bi+ umbrella (bisexual, pansexual, omnisexual, and other multi-gender identities), there’s a sweeter symbol: lemon bars. What started as a playful internet joke has evolved into a beloved icon, uniting bisexuals around the world with a shared love for this tangy, underrated pastry. Here’s how a humble baked good became a staple of Bi+ pride—and how to make your own.
A Baked Good Turned Bicon
Like all great internet lore, the lemon bar’s rise began on Reddit. In 2018, a closeted married bisexual found community in the r/Bisexual subreddit. Addressing new members, they riffed on a famous “Star Wars” meme—”Come to the Dark side, we have cookies”—with a comment that would spark a movement.
Another Redditor took the joke further, sharing a photo of lemon bars topped with a crumb layer dyed to match the Bisexual Pride flag. The post read: “Come to the Bi side.. we have lemon bars.”
The meme exploded, joining lighthearted bisexual tropes like cuffed jeans and NASA T-shirts. It grew so popular that the Bi subreddit introduced a “lemon bar flair”—an icon members add to posts to signal their fandom, a sign of enduring enthusiasm.
Seven years later, lemon bars remain a cornerstone of Bi+ culture. But why this pastry? Why not a more famous treat like brownies or cookies?
A Layer (Bar) of Metaphors
Before deleting their account, the original Redditor explained their choice: “Lemon bars are the unsung heroes of the pastry world. And they’re crazy f*ing delicious. But they get put in the background all the time behind less bold flavors, like those in cookies and brownies.”
The comparison wasn’t accidental. The Redditor wanted to highlight a harsh truth about the Bi+ community: stigma. Compared to gays and lesbians, Bi+ people face unique antagonism—often from within the LGBTQIA2S+ community—fueled by stereotypes of hypersexuality or “greed” about partners. These myths perpetuate dangerous ideas: that bisexuals are promiscuous, have higher STI rates, or aren’t “gay enough” to belong.
Like lemon bars, many Bi+ people have felt sour and polarizing around fellow queer women—particularly those who dismiss them as “dirty” for previous sexual experiences. For all the jokes, bisexuals face the highest rates of sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, substance abuse, depression, and suicide ideation in the LGBTQIA2S+ community.
A queer comedian, who is “chronically online” and familiar with the discourse, sums up the symbolism: “It’s tart. It’s sweet. It’s often overlooked. It doesn’t compromise. That’s exactly the Bi+ community.”
“I’ve always supported my Bi buds,” they add. “I remember the prejudice lesbians had against Bi people when I came out in the ’90s—it was nonsense. Bi pride forever!”
Lemon Bar Tips for Every Baker
A pastry chef, who describes themselves as “chronically online,” hadn’t heard of lemon bars’ Bi+ connection until recently—but the metaphor clicked immediately. “Queer people are sweet but not afraid to be zesty,” they say.
They shared two pro tips for perfect lemon bars:
– Rosemary crust: Add fresh rosemary to the buttery base. It pairs beautifully with citrus and cuts the filling’s acidity.
– Low and slow baking: The filling is a custard—cook it at a lower temperature for longer to keep it creamy. Overheating will make it curdle.
Baking Lemon Bars as Activism
For a bisexual baker known for colorful, flag-themed treats, lemon bars are more than dessert—they’re a form of activism. “They represent love, support, and being seen,” they say.
As someone who’s been told their sexuality is a “phase,” they relate to lemon bars’ underdog status. “People overlook them, but once you try them, you realize they’re valid,” they explain. “They balance sweet and tart perfectly—just like the Bi+ experience.”
“We love who we love,” they add. “Words can’t invalidate that. Find communities where you can share lemon bars and be yourself—online or in real life.”
Best Lemon Bar Recipes
Ready to bake? Start with a classic lemon bar—a buttery crust and tangy filling, perfect for beginners. For a twist, try lemon meringue bars, where a fluffy meringue topping contrasts with the tart lemon layer.
For the ultimate lemon fix, go for a super-lemony recipe packed with extra zest and a lemon slice candy topping—an homage to the Reddit post that started it all.
Whether you’re baking for pride or just because, lemon bars are a delicious way to celebrate being true to yourself.
