It’s weird to debate or speculate about celebrities’ sexualities. It is even stranger to accuse them of queerbaiting and promptly harass them about it.
Queerbaiting, by definition, is a marketing technique for fictional content in which creators hint at, but do not outright depict, LGBTQ+ representation typically through same-sex romance.
However, it seems that through social media and hypersensitivity, people have decided that celebrities exploring themselves or just keeping their love life private is the exact same as queerbaiting. It is beyond hurtful to claim that these celebrities, typically male artists, are queerbaiting, simply for defying gender norms or not specifying their sexuality.
People on social media scream at the top of their lungs encouraging men to explore their more feminine or androgynous side, but then lose their minds demanding these people come out as gay when they actually do begin exploring themselves.
If the celebrity is straight, they might feel as though they have to steer away from exploring anything outside of the norm. Meanwhile, if the celebrity is actually part of the LGBTQ+ community, then they are just being harassed into coming out, which is invasive and hurtful.
Possibly one of the worst examples of a celebrity being forced to come out is in regards to Kit Conner who played Nick Nelson in Heartstopper. He was harassed by both fans and media outlets speculating on the newly turned eighteen year old actor’s sexuality. It eventually reached the point that Conner tweeted “back for a minute. I’m bi. Congrats on forcing an 18 year old to out himself. I think some of you missed the point of the show. bye.”
Not only is it harmful to demand that people define their sexuality in order to satiate the public’s wants, but it also feeds into the idea that people have to dress a certain way just because of their sexuality. The mindset that sexuality should be visible in the way that one dresses is outright appalling. It is outdated and regressive to claim that queerness is inherently feminine.
I am, however, not suggesting that queerbaiting is harmless. Queerbaiting has proven to be harmful to the LGBTQ+ community as it allows for the capitalization of queer stories and experiences. However, people like Kit Conner or Harry Styles are not the problem. It is the directors and writers who capitalize off of the queer community’s desperate need for representation that are the problem. There was a time where queerbaiting did put a name to a very real issue affecting the community. Unfortunately, the word has been so overused and warped that its meaning has been lost.
Why should androgynous or more fluid fashion sense be reserved for those who are openly out? Why can’t these celebrities, straight or not, have the chance to comfortably express themselves without backlash? Why is not conforming to labels alright in everyday life, but the moment a celebrity decides to be unlabeled they are criticized?
People, including celebrities, shouldn’t owe you an explanation of their identity. It is strange to believe that people are “pretending to be gay” rather than just being themselves.