If you say the closet is made of glass, then why are you knocking so hard?
There is no official definition for the term queerbaiting; however, a quick Google search will show you that it is “a marketing technique for fiction and entertainment in which creators hint at, but then do not depict, same-sex romance or other LGBTQ+ representation.”
The word queerbaiting has become more popular in recent years, but it has mostly been used in the wrong context to guilt people for being fluid with their sexuality.
This word has been thrown around constantly toward celebrities, most notably Harry Styles, Charlie Puth, and recently, Kit Connor, who felt forced to come out as bisexual due to many fans of “Heartstopper” saying that Connor was queerbaiting his audience.
Cancel culture is at its peak right now, and queerbaiting has now become a clickbait phrase used to guilt or force people out of the closet in an attempt to avoid being canceled for “pandering” to an LGBTQ+ audience.
Queerbaiting has become a weapon against anyone deviating from norms or experimenting with their image. While it is hurtful to assume the mannerisms of the queer community for profit, you do not know the intention of an individual. It is their life, and they are allowed to express themselves in whichever way they please.
You don’t know what someone else is going through on the inside. A critique of brands pandering to and appropriating queer culture is worth discussing, but sometimes it is not safe for an individual in a highly heteronormative industry to express themself as freely as they desire.
Many individuals may think that calling out celebrities for queerbaiting is defending the community, but the exact opposite occurs. When the term gets thrown around, it is actively hurting members of the LGBTQ+ community who may not be ready to come out.
With the weaponization of queerbaiting, an individual’s ability to be fluid with their gender and sexuality seems to be a thing of the past. There is a high demand for such a personal element of another human being.
Everyone is free to express themselves and should not have to face backlash from followers online. Living in fear of what others may think can halt these self-discovery efforts and may put people further into the closet.
When people start attacking others and saying that they feel misled, or that an individual is “gatekeeping” information from everyone, it can make people feel trapped and will cause them to refrain from their experimentation.
No one owes you their sexuality, and guilting others into coming out is problematic, especially when coming from people who know the struggles of coming out themselves.
One of the most beautiful things in the world is the fluidity of gender and sexuality. There is never a definitive answer to what one’s sexuality entails; it is an ever-changing self-discovery journey, and it is precious.
People are desperate for queer representation in media and pop culture. Everyone wants to relate to someone and wants to have a celebrity or character that they feel best represents them.
It is important that there is representation in media, but forcing this representation does a disservice to the actual members of the community who are out and proud, as well as people who strive to include LGBTQ+ people in their work.
In a world where it is scary to be an out and proud member, being fluid and changing societal norms is something that we need to be celebrating, not tearing down.
Graphic by- Abbey Mark