Let's focus on Louis' journey - from a young, proud, and out (at minimum to some friends and on social media site Bebo) queer person, which couldn't have been easy in working class Donny in the early 2000s. But he was fucking unapologetic and brave and LOUD.

And who showed up being himself to audition...and was the second one cast. Who was then beaten down, made to feel he had no talent, manipulated, threatened, and violently closeted by homophobic assholes with virtually unlimited power over his life and the lives of people he loved.

And Louis, so young still, refused to be de-gayed, called himself camp and flamboyant and made ball-licking jokes and continued loving and fighting right there in the public eye with his lyrics and soft touches and kindness to lgbtq fans and queer coded clothing and toy bears teaching gay history lessons and being LOUD.

Whose management was so idiotic that instead of capitalizing on Louis' lovability and innate talent for the music industry they fucked up his confidence and his image, to the point he became seen as a... homophobic straight man in a long term het relationship who tweets defensively when anyone relates him to LGBTQ support.

Can you imagine how traumatizing that was? A young, isolated queer person under constant scrutiny and in what amounts to conversion 'therapy', to be seen as an enemy of your own community?

That Louis. He said calmly and confidently, on camera, that he is proud his song is seen as a queer anthem, that it's an amazing feeling.

From no flags at his concerts to a sea of rainbows to pride flags on stage and on the tour bus to rainbow lights in his own stage lighting to happily discussing his support for lgbtq on camera.

What a fucking journey so far.