Is it ever OK to use the term queerbaiting?
Queerbaiting has been on our tongues for a while now. But over the past 12 months, the term has erupted into our lives with some vigour. From questions surrounding Harry Styles' sexuality to calling out movies for their almost-depictions of queer characters, the trailer for Wakanda Forever, and the recent Doctor Who storyline springs to mind.
Queerbaiting is an accusatory term that brings into question the validity of someone’s sexual identity. As a bisexual person, I find the term hard to reconcile with, for a myriad of reasons. My main issue is that the premise of queerbaiting stands to question sexuality loudly by demanding proof and making people feel they need to justify their presence in queer spaces. In this context, it feels inherently biphobic, transphobic, homophobic, and ultimately wrong.
Heartstopper actor Kit Connor — who plays Nick Nelson in the Netflix show — is the latest in a string of people in the public eye who have been forced to come out because they've been accused of queerbaiting. In a recent tweet, the 18-year-old actor said; "Back for a minute. i’m [sic] bi. congrats on forcing an 18 year old to out himself. I think some of you missed the point of the show. Bye."
This comes after mounting pressure from fans for clarity on his sexual identity, amongst accusations of queerbaiting.
What is queerbaiting?
"Queerbaiting" is used to describe the actions of a writer, director, or producer, or those in entertainment marketing, who give a character or storyline traits that appear to be promising of queer interactions, with no "payoff." You might remember it happening between characters Okoye and Ayo in Black Panther, to Beca and Chloe in Pitch Perfect.
The internet has, as it usually does, co-opted the term. Now, some people use "queerbaiting" to describe the actions of an actual person who doesn't (openly) identify with the LGBTQ community but displays queer tendencies through the way they dress, their body language, or their reluctance to answer questions about their sexuality, or to give themselves a label. Sometimes celebrities are accused of capitalising on queer culture, with the likes of Harry Styles and Billie Eilish coming under fire.
https://mashable.com/article/queerbaiting-term-explained
It is my considered opinion that such demands, as well as expressions of homo- and transphobia, are made by people who are not entirely secure in their own sexuality. YMMV and probably does.
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I rarely hear the term applied to people, it is almost exclusively to refer to media 'implying' a couple or character is GLBT without ever confirming it. Basically, it's nothing more than a "tease". As for people, I think there are some who "queerbait", and if that term doesn't blow up your trousers in reference to people, then how's about call it what it is, appropriation.
Frankly, much of this blow back is due to homophobia/transphobia and the need for niche diversity casting and identity politics. There is still not a plethora of openly gay people in positions of authority, including actors. Movies, TV shows, plays, and the like have been better at fleshing out GLBT characters and not treating them as "one offs" or "sideshows". That said, there are still LOTS of those venues that have screwed the GLBT community with stereotyping and casting people who are not right for the role. Why is it a straight person playing gay is sometimes seen as "valiant" or "heroic"?! When it comes to LGBT (and Jews), I hear the constant bray of "the best actor should get the role". Yeah, OK...let's go with that. So much for real representation of LGBT people.
Finally, I really take issue with your comment:
"...as well as expressions of homo- and transphobia, are made by people who are not entirely secure in their own sexuality."
NO! NO! NO! Are there SOME people who are homo/transphobic and are struggling with their sexual/gender identity? Of course! But there is NO proof, whatsoever, that this is the most common reason, and yet, it is a popular trope among the left. It is homophobic! A homophobe/transphobe is more likely to be heterosexual/cisgender. The constant "oh, they must be a secret homo/trannie" crap only serves to BLAME the GBLT community for the discrimination and violence against us and letting heterosexuals/cisgenders off the fucking hook for their bigotry.
I have been at DU for YEEEEEEEEEEARS! In that long time, I can't count the number of DU'ers who (bravely, IMO) admitted to being homophobic/transphobic in the past, and yet, the vast majority of those admitting to past bigotry still aren't gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. So, yes, some (mostly) homophobes and transphobes may struggle with their identities, but it the MAJORITY, the ones with (hetero/cis) PRIVILEGE, who are the real bigots and tormenters of the GLBT community!
