Taylor Swift’s New Song: Queer Baiting or Hopelessly Clumsy Ally?
Taylor Swift’s newest single comes just in time for pride month in June. Her single titled ‘You Need to Calm Down’ is interpreted as a lyrical sword against the haters and a new gay anthem by America’s pop princess. However, many members of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as faithful allies, are referring to Swift’s new single as her latest offense of queer-baiting. Queer-baiting is a marketing technique in mass media in fiction and entertainment fields. Creators will hint at, without depicting, a same-sex romance to attract a more massive queer fanbase without alienating other consumers. Queerbaiting is an offensive act for the masses as it exploits LGBTQ+ consumers without actual thought towards them.
Swift's Past with Queer Baiting
In the past, Taylor Swift has been accused of queer-baiting on multiple occasions, from performing in Gay-colored attire to announcing a romance single with a lesbian news anchor on Lesbian Visibility Day, but this song seems to be the highest offense of them all. Swift, in her new single, is coming out in defense for the Gays saying, “You Need to Calm Down” which is a halfhearted demand at best. The lyrics are lazy with lines like, “taking shots at (her) like it’s Patrón” and “Why are you mad? When you could be GLAAD (a popular LGBTQ+ nonprofit)?”. These lines are riddled with a wittiness and rhyming that better belongs in a children’s book than a pop song. The song is just a lazy defense for the LGBTQ+ community; it’s ill thought and ill worded.
Perhaps just an ally with unsure footing?
Despite her recent missteps, Taylor Swift has publicly advocated for the Equality Act, which prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity, as well as having made substantial donations to GLAAD, the nonprofit mentioned in her song. Many consider this an apathetic pat on the head to the gay community from the beloved pop star as she ‘comes out’ as an ally as if she is the first to do so. If anything, Swift is a little late to the party. After all, Lady Gaga has always been considered the first ally with her legendary song “Born this Way” as she publicly embraced her identity as a bisexual woman. In comparison, ‘You Need to Calm Down’ is hardly a massive feat or a win for the LGBTQ+ community. If anything, this song projects Taylor Swift’s high-budget ‘gay-ally coming out’ party: a celebration of her lackluster anti-homophobe agenda.
A Pat on the Back for a 'Good' Effort
Song subject, writing quality, and past aside, any effort, however misguided or misplaced, towards supporting the LGBTQ+ cause can be considered a reasonable bid. Taylor Swift’s new song might not be considered incredibly groundbreaking towards the cause, but the cause welcomes anyone who chooses to support the message that the LGBTQ+ community is trying to send. Love is love- no matter gender, orientation, or sexuality. If genuine, despite how insignificant, Swift’s over budget support of this message is a positive step in the right direction.
