Lil Nas X has kicked off his hot boy summer with a controversial kiss. Lil Nas kissed one of his male dancers at the end of his Egyptian-styled BET Awards performance of Montero: Call Me By Your Name (which was reminiscent of Michael Jackson’s Remember the Time). Many at the show applauded Lil Nas’s boldness for his representation of the queer community. But the online response was a different story. Instead of celebrating the announcement of the release of his debut album, Lil Nas found himself having to clap back against homophobic comments and trolls. Most comments were couched in respectability politics, stating that Lil Nas’s onstage kiss was inappropriate. Inappropriate for whom? Below are a few more highlights from USA Today:
The crowd roared loudly in approval with audience members jumping out of their seats in praise, but not everyone was receptive of Lil Nas X’s public display of affection. Some users on Twitter argued it was inappropriate.
Lil Nas X (real name: Montero Lamar Hill) took to Twitter Monday to address the homophobic comments.
“y’all hate yourselves so much. y’all live your lives trying your best to appease straight ppl. y’all are uncomfortable with what i do because y’all are afraid they will be uncomfortable with you,” he tweeted. “work on yourselves, i love who i am and whatever i decide to do. get there.”
Lil Nas X revealed in another tweet that his polarizing BET Awards performance was nerve-wracking for him and took “a lot of time to mentally prepare” because he knew he was “performing something like that in front of my straight peers.”
But he said, “if you don’t push yourself outside of your comfort zone you will never grow.”
When a critic accused “The Old Town” road singer of being “insecure about your sexuality” and “over compensating for it every chance you get,” Lil Nas X admitted that he is insecure.
“you’re right i am insecure about my sexuality. i still have a long way to go. i’ve never denied that,” he explained. “when you’re conditioned by society to hate yourself your entire life it takes a lot of unlearning. which is exactly why i do what i do.”
I am so tired of homophobes using their children and respectability politics as cover for their hatred. These are the same people who are not complaining about Madonna and Britney kissing on stage or the horribly misogynistic lyrics in the music they AND their children listen to. So how is a kiss onstage inappropriate? At least those who say they don’t like seeing two men kiss are being honest, but they don’t get a pass either. I love how honest, pure, and raw Lil Nas is about his insecurities around his sexuality. And he is right, gay children are taught to hate themselves. So it is bold and possibly cathartic for him to wear his queerness so loudly.
The purpose of art is to push boundaries and make us feel uncomfortable. It is a mirror to make us look at our own prejudices. In some cases art makes us see the parts of ourselves that we try to hide. I agree with Lil Nas that those being the loudest hate themselves or are hiding. As they say, a hit dog hollers. I do hope Lil Nas continues to make people clutch their pearls by pushing the envelope. There are more of us that support his courage than not. And for those who gaslight celebrities who make a big deal about coming out, this is why. Because it is not safe for them to be in the closet and it is not safe for them to live in the open. Anyways, I am going to go celebrate the Marvel inspired video announcing Lil Nas’s new album, because the man is uber talented.
you’re right i am insecure about my sexuality. i still have a long way to go. i’ve never denied that. when you’re conditioned by society to hate yourself your entire life it takes a lot of unlearning. which is exactly why i do what i do. https://t.co/PtiehZdDGS
— nope ? (@LilNasX) June 28, 2021
“MONTERO” THE DEBUT ALBUM
COMING SOON! ??♂️⭐️ pic.twitter.com/8UjXJWpYap— nope ? (@LilNasX) June 29, 2021
it took me a lot of time to mentally prepare for this performance. while on stage i was trembling knowing that i was performing something like that in front of my straight peers. even during the performance i was having a hard time calming my nerves. thank you guys for the love.
— nope ? (@LilNasX) June 28, 2021
What’s the difference?! #CanWeTalkAboutIt It’s the double standard for me! #LilNasX #betawards2021 pic.twitter.com/RDRlFULnEh
— Mr. M (@_OliverMatthews) June 28, 2021
