What did James Dean mean when he said this?
It seems to be in concensus that James Dean was at least bisexual, but I’m having trouble understand this statement:
When asked about his sexual orientation, Dean replied:”Well, I’m certainly not going through life with one hand tied behind my back.”
What do you think he meant by this?

That he’s supposed to say “Uncle”
In other words he won’t let people tell him how to live. He won’t give in.
“One hand tied behind my back” means you are limited or restricted in some way. Referring to sexual orientation, it means that he didn’t want to be restricted — didn’t want to have limited choices.
if that is what he said thens sounds like to me he was up for anything!!
I think it meant he wasn’t holding back. He got as much as he could
He meant that he was open to doing anything he wanted sexually, whether with a man or a woman. He did not intend to limit himself to either.
idk ask him. maybe it means he doesnt need to hide it because it would be harder to live life with a huge secret- just like its harder to live life with one hand. So he is making his life easier by telling the truth.
but i may be wrong, im only 13 – not a mind reader
Abbie, sweetheart, he can’t ask James Dean himself, because James Dean is dead. Just in case you didn’t know.
PUBLICITY even then. “PUBLICITY” BABY!! He didn’t want to piss-off the studio heads (who roll that way mostly). He didn’t want the QU—RS to stay home and not see his movies. If you’re REALLY(next to pretty) GOOD LOOKING young guy,You can GO FAR with those studio MOGULS who ROLL THAT WAY. Hell,,with “their” bucks they can make or break ya.