Homosexuality is still looked down upon so much??? Honestly. I live in one of the most diverse cities on the east coast of the US and even here I can say more than 3/4 of people are homophobic. It's so bad, if HL were to come out now, they would definitely gain fans but I wouldn't be surprised if they lost twice as many
In their current demographic - you are right, it would be detrimental. And until concerted efforts are made to appeal to a broader, older, more accepting fanbase, that will remain true.
As callous as it seems, the greatest promo 1D could ever do would be to release a new album that reflects the continued growth and maturity we have seen on Four, and then allow whomever wanted to come out do so shortly after its release.
It would definitely weed out those who were only in it for the fantasy, and who didn’t give a shit about the music or the boys’ happiness, while opening them up to an expanded fanbase that, if even a portion of the truth gets out, would understand from personal experience why things happened the way they did over the past five years, and would rally behind them in a show of solidarity.
But then again, this isn’t anything that masqueradehfx hasn’t already said, and he can certainly speak from a position I can’t.
