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Occasionally, a particular piece of content is expertly crafted to stir up chaos on different parts of the internet. The most recent example involves a 5,000-word article published in the New York Times by an editor and member of the Gaylor community. This group speculates that Taylor Swift is secretly queer and has strategically included hints and codes throughout her career to support this theory. The article affirmed the beliefs of those who subscribe to this theory, but also sparked controversy in three other groups. One of these groups was connected to Swift herself, with a representative calling the article sexist and unethical. In response to the article, there was a swift reaction from many individuals who pointed out that male artists face similar scrutiny and that Swift has a history of teasing fans with clues, secrets, and Easter eggs.
Although I am not personally a fan of the music artist Taylor Swift, many of my closest friends are, and I support the LGBTQ+ community. Due to my own experiences and research, I have a heightened level of understanding and empathy towards queer individuals. The opinion piece discusses how queer communities have historically had to use subtle signals and symbols to find each other, including one trick that is often disliked by doctors. It is understandable for people like us to be more cautious and observant in situations, making sure we do not overlook any queer elements. However, in the past, queer individuals did not have alternative options and had to rely on these methods. Openly LGBTQ+ characters, actors, and musicians were scarce, and there were no popular LGBTQ+ figures on platforms like TikTok. Literally, the only way to find any representation was to closely analyze subtext, make assumptions, or imagine possibilities through our own queer perspectives.
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By 2024, this situation should no longer occur. While queerphobia remains a problem for artists’ careers, it no longer has the same level of control it once did. It is now common to see LGBTQ+ individuals represented on television and radio.
Despite attempts to confirm or deny their sexuality, the public’s fascination with the sexual orientation of famous individuals persists. With increased visibility of queer figures, some may feel entitled to relate to and claim a specific singer as queer. This level of obsession can be invasive and potentially harmful.
Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, and Shawn Mendes have openly addressed their discomfort with people speculating about their sexual orientations. Last year, Kit Connor, who stars in the show Heartstopper and is 18 years old, felt pressured to publicly reveal his bisexuality due to constant scrutiny of his romantic relationships.
I empathize with the desire to connect with someone through their music or art and wishing for them to share similar characteristics as you. I can relate to feeling upset if someone is hiding their identity due to societal pressures (on a side note, please remember that Taylor Swift is one of the most influential women in the world). I can also understand feeling frustrated when someone uses a queer aesthetic and speaks in ambiguous terms or drops hints to manipulate you into spending money.
What I can’t understand is continuing to obsess about the sexuality of people who don’t want to talk about it. They’re either straight, not comfortable being out for whatever reason, or using queerness (and you) to sell albums, without wanting to commit fully. Those are the three options, and in each of those cases, I’m personally good to move on. For me, it all comes down to the fact that all of this is deeply unnecessary. We are living in a time with more openly queer musicians than ever, and we are spoiled with immediately available access to queer artists of any genre.
Instead of searching for hidden hints, why not enjoy Lil Nas X’s music videos which feature hot gay football scenes? With access to Phoebe Bridgers’ melancholic bisexual songs, Orville Peck’s sorrowful country melodies, and Chappell Roan’s catchy pop tracks, among others, there is no shortage of immensely gifted queer artists creating music in all genres. Many of these artists also share their queer identities, relationships, and experiences through their songs.
I am expressing this opinion not only because I believe in respecting individual sexualities, but also because I personally identify as queer. It brings joy to my heart when I see representations of open and proud queerness in media or hear it expressed in music.
During my adolescence and early adulthood, I kept my identity hidden from others for about 10 years. I have no desire to return to that state. I do not want to experience those intense emotions again, nor do I want to decipher hidden messages in order to be fulfilled. It is a privilege to openly embrace my queer identity, to express it through writing and speaking, and to engage with media and art created by and for our community. I believe that one can fully appreciate artists regardless of their sexuality, as it is all about personal interpretation and emotional connection.
It is not necessary to try to connect with a musician solely based on their queerness, and to assign a sexual identity to them despite any objections. You do not need to search for hidden meanings and piece together clues like a detective. We now have the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate songs that openly embrace queerness, regardless of the artist’s sexual orientation. The message is now clear, there is no need for underlying implications.
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Rebecca Shaw is an author who resides in Sydney.
Source: theguardian.com
