why, no one asks? great i’ll tell you!
“she compares getting mean tweets to homophobia” no, each verse is its own story. nowhere does she say one is as bad as the other. try again.
“she suddenly decided to care about the queer community just to sell her album” i invite you to stream welcome to new york.mp3 & then look up delicate speeches.
“she’s trying to make money off of the queer community” well she’s doing a bad job of it, considering how much money she’s given to GLAAD. next!
“she’s trying to get popular by being pro-gay” i feel like everyone is forgetting about how entrenched our culture is in homophobia. do you know what this actually did for her popularity? it tanked it. would’ve been wiser to not say anything, quietly donate and not tell a soul.
“she parades queer people around in her video” ah! so she should’ve….*checks notes*… not had queer people in her video? or…. have only one or two people, with her as the complete focus? okay. if you think that i can’t help you.
“the video makes out poor people to be homophobic, it feels classist” this is the only argument i’ll accept. it was very stereotypical!
“the trailer park itself was classist” iffy. at no point does the video suggest that they shouldn’t be in the trailer park, that the trailer park itself is homophobic, etc. the trailer park is where they’re all living their fullest queerest lives. this feels bad faith but whatever.
“the queer community is being taken advantage of” you know how many prominent queer voices were involved in the music video? when has billy porter ever put up with any bullshit from homophobes or the culture that pretends to be tolerant?! also, everyone involved said they were honored to be involved & that taylor is a real ally.
“she’s not gay!” ah yes. only gay people can support gay people. it’s how real progress is made!
“it’s not a good song because—“ shhhh. shut up. just. close your eyes and let the beat carry you. you’re smiling, admit you’re smiling.
“it’s not like it achieves anything” the first time my mom heard it she turned to me and said, “i think she’s right. i don’t think shade…or shame….will make you any less gay. and i love you” it was the biggest breakthrough we’ve ever had. & i’m certain i’m not the only one with a story.