Is Harry Styles Queerbaiting?

The rumor that the worldwide star Harry Styles is queerbaiting has been spreading like fire recently. It was brought up not too long ago, but was forgotten until he started back on tour in August this year and has been gaining popularity in the media. 

What is queerbaiting? Queerbaiting is a marketing strategy that famous people use to make everyone think they are a part of the LGBTQ+ community. They never actually state if they are queer or not, but they hint at it instead. Artists like Billie Eilish and Ariana Grande have also been accused of this in the past. Billie Eilish wrote a caption in an Instagram post saying “I love girls” and Ariana Grande said a lyric in a song called “Monopoly” with her best friend Victoria Monet, “I like women and men”. This caused their fans to speculate on if they are a part of the LGBTQ+, which also caused some hate, as the fans thought that they were lying about what they said. 

Styles, however, hasn’t backed away from the allegations and has said multiple times that his sexuality is his own personal thing and can be private if he wants it to be. I think that Harry is currently unlabeled and is figuring out his sexuality like he said in his recent Rolling Stone article: “I think everyone, including myself, has your own journey with figuring out sexuality and getting more comfortable with it”.

People speculate that he is queerbaiting because he says things during his songs and concerts that make people think that he isn't straight. In his unreleased co-written song “Medicine,” Styles says, “The boys and the girls are in. I mess around with them and I'm okay with it. I’m coming down. I figured out I kinda like it.” Harry is saying that he is figuring out who he is and he likes being with boys and girls. This is why the queerbaiting allegations confuse me, because although he hasn't officially said if he is a part of the LGBTQ+ community, he has hinted and said that he is and has been trying to figure out his sexuality. Just because someone holds up pride flags and supports gay rights doesnt mean that they have to be gay. Also, because Styles wears clothes like dresses, oversized furry coats, and sparkly jumpsuits doesnt make him gay either. Clothes don’t show someone's sexuality. Lastly, it is no one’s business if he is straight, gay, bisexual, or really anything in his private life.  Harry Styles isn't queerbaiting, but he is just figuring himself out.

By Marco Schittone