In my experience, Gaylors are often misunderstood as being solely concerned with Taylor's potential past relationships. Someone, swifitie or not, will see a post about VS fashion shows, Dianna's tattoo, or kissgate, and then assume that that's what being a gaylor is: making inferences based solely on photos, PR, and vibes. But there's so much more to it than that.
Being a gaylor is about appreciating Taylor Swift's lyricism, her ability to wrap the truth in layers of poeticism, the way she hides in plain sight. Being a gaylor has taught me so much about sapphic history. Because of Taylor, I've learned more about Emily Dickinson, Sappho, and queer literature in general. I've heard my experiences as a sapphic represented in songs like gold rush, illicit affairs, Call It What You Want, Out of the Woods, and in so many of her songs.
There's also the overt way Taylor has aligned herself with Pride and queer artists. From singing Delicate at every Pride event she's performed at, to choosing openers for tour who are known for being queer, Taylor has intentionally positioned herself as someone who cares about LGBTQ+ people and rights. She used the YNTCD music video to promote the Equality Act. She wore a bracelet with bi flag colors that said "proud." She said "gay pride...makes me, me." Regardless of how she identifies, it's clear that she doesn't mind people saying she is or might be queer. If she did, there would be more than vague post combating the rumors. She said Lavender Haze was about dodging "weird rumors," and those rumors were the ones fueled by heteronormativity and misogyny, not queer people seeing ourselves and our history represented in her music.
When I learned about gaylorism a couple of years ago, I thought "wow, this is a really interesting way to look at her music." Listening to Taylor Swift and hearing queerness isn't invasive speculation. It's the natural outcome of what Taylor herself writes, what she willingly puts out into the public to be listened to and dissected and pulled apart for the sake of finding meaning.
Taylor Swift has never said the words "I'm straight." Despite many opportunities, especially during the Lover Era, to say "as a straight woman, I support...(the Equality Act, LGBTQ rights, etc)," she never did. She has been vague, and she has been vague on purpose.
I've been feeling weird about being in this community the last few days. With the YouTube video that's been making the rounds (which, as I've said, is by a Youtuber whose videos I enjoy and recommend to people frequently. I'm literally subscribed to her Patreon), and with GlitterGate and stupid shit happening on Twitter, I've wondered if it's worth it to keep writing and talking about Taylor Swift Fruity(TM). But I listen to Taylor's music constantly, and I can't stop hearing the queerness. I can't stop forming thoughts about the way she writes and the narrative of her last several albums.
tl;dr: Aside from incriminating photos, interview comments, and what we've been told about Taylor, her lyrics are full of queer themes and symbolism and history. I can't listen to Taylor Swift without hearing how sapphic her lyrics are, and I shouldn't have to.
