Charlotte's Corner [Misc.]

Ariana "Gay Icon of Her Generation" Grande

Okay, don't get me wrong: I like Ariana just fine. She's pretty, and her voice is incredible, and I like most of her songs. I also have so much respect for her dealing with the Manchester Bombings in such an incredible way.

But Ariana is NOT a gay icon.

When I first saw that headline, I got literally so angry I didn't even bother to read the article. I read it just now and it suffices to say that whoever wrote this article can, sincerely, piss off.

Yes, Ariana has always been an ally. I remember very clearly that she was one of the celebrities who always voiced her support for the LGBTQ+ community openly and frequently. I'm grateful for that.

But she is not gay.

The thing that angers me with her being called a "gay icon" when she is a heterosexual ally is the fact that there are so many LGBTQ+ celebrities out there who go unrecognized. Ellen Page? Kristen Stewart? Ellen DeGeneres?

All of them would have deserved that title more than Ariana.

Olly Alexander? Breaks gender roles on a daily basis. Rocks glitter and pink and doesn't let anyone tell him what to wear. Is positive and cheerful and overall a sweetheart who is always being a positive, uplifting example to his peers. Has been unapologetically gay and made a documentary about it.

Troye Sivan? Makes music based on his experiences, music that many LGBTQ+ kids can relate to. Always has LGBTQ+ couples in his music videos, makes an entire video including scenes of actual gay pride parades, tells fans to just keep on kissing. One of the first YouTubers to come out publicly. The sweetest, purest, most outspoken activist.

Hayley Kiyoko? Openly and unapologetically gay, makes awesome music about it.

Amandla Stenberg? They/them pronouns but cannot use them officially because this would impact their career negatively.

Ezra Miller? Openly labeled himself as queer, always up and about being an activist.

Tom Daley? Made the most touching coming out video in 2014 and married the man he loves. Prime example of how you can be sick and tired of hiding who you're in love with because of a prejudiced world.

Dustin Lance Black? Tom Daley's husband, producer, activist. Always at important events, pride parades, university graduations, speaking about LGBTQ+ issues and encouraging fellow LGBTQ+ kids to be themselves.

But sure, let's ignore all these people who are actually members of the LGBTQ+ community and show their fans on a daily basis that it is possible to overcome the struggles many LGBTQ+ kids are familiar with and give the title of "gay icon of her generation" to a cisfemale, heterosexual, heteroromantic woman instead because she has a gay brother and included a gay couple kissing in her show.

Besides, half the points in that article don't even refer to her actively supporting or doing anything for the LGBTQ+ community - e.g. her lyrics in "Side to Side"???? Gay icon where??? - so that article is yet another poor excuse to give the Straights™ things meant for LGBTQ+ people.

Literally, if the "allies" can't be included they'll be screaming left and right about equality.

Let us, as actual LGBTQ+ people, have one thing at least. Please.

p.s. I do not resent heterosexual people nor Ariana. It is not her fault that the article was written about her; the only person to blame is the author and whoever allowed that to be put online in their own magazine. I'm simply angry about the unfairness regarding the representation of LGBTQ+ individuals on the whole. I know I could have really needed a positive bisexual role model when I was growing up, somebody who was called an "icon". But instead, I see straight couples left and right and straight people being rewarded for being "brave allies".