Taylor Swift’s associates SLAM New York Times story speculating the singer’s SɆXUALITY; says it’s ‘invasive, untrue, and inappropriate’ | HO

An opinion piece published by the New York Times speculating about Taylor Swift’s sєxuality and public identity as an LGBTQ ally has drawn intense criticism from the pop star’s associates. Calling the article “invasive, untrue and inappropriate,” sources close to Swift condemned the Times for overstepping boundaries.

Published on January 5th, the op-ed titled “I Have Questions About Taylor Swift’s Sєxuality” raised eyebrows by openly questioning whether Swift might be secretly gay or bisєxual. Despite no evidence to support these claims, the author deduced Swift’s songs contain “clues” about her identity and urged her to publicly “clarify” her orientation to strengthen her status as an icon for young queer fans.

Backlash over Columnists’ Baseless Speculation

Swift’s team wasted no time slamming the column, calling its speculation about her personal life “offensive” both to the singer and the LGBTQ community.

“There seems to be no depth of low that some people, like this author, will not sink to in order to get attention,” an anonymous associate of Swift’s told CNN. “It’s obviously untrue, offensive and frankly very invasive and inappropriate.”

Sources close to the singer doubled down on this sentiment in comments to other outlets. “It’s a very inappropriate message,” one insider told Yahoo Entertainment. “Taylor has been an advocate for the LGBTQ community for years. …[the op-ed] is untrue and hurtful.”

Taylor’s History of LGBTQ Advocacy

Despite no public comments on her own sєxuality, Swift has long been an outspoken LGBTQ ally. Her recent music videos have shown support for marriage equality, while Swift continues donating to LGBTQ organizations and pressing for protections like the Equality Act.

However, critics accused the Times piece of undermining this advocacy by forcibly speculating on Swift’s orientation – especially given the criticism queer celebrities face if they don’t publicly define their sєxuality. “Taylor has faced these kinds of ‘are-they-or-aren’t-they’ narratives for a long time,” notes NME.

Violating Swift’s Right to Privacy

Ultimately the fiery backlash stems from the op-ed being viewed as a violation of Swift’s reasonable right to privacy regarding personal relationships. Despite her life playing out in lyrics, fans know Swift values keeping intimate aspects of her world – like sєxuality – off limits from speculation.

“It’s frankly disgusting that anyone thinks they have a right to define anyone else’s sєxuality for them,” a source told Pedestrian TV. “It’s no one’s place to out or speculate anyone.”

With Swift poised to kick off her Eras Tour in March, she seems unaffected by this latest media storm – though her associates made clear the Times crossed serious ethical lines. Celebrity news outlets should heed warnings about forcing stars to disclose private details, no matter how famous. Stars deserve basic rights like choosing which aspects of their lives – and identities – remain wisely out of the spotlight.

Why Taylor Swift’s Open Support of the LGBTQ Community Should Be Celebrated

There’s nothing hidden about the meaning behind Taylor Swift’s new song “You Need to Calm Down.” The new song, crafted as a message to angry bigoted people around the world, does contain a few subtle lyrics. But just before launching into her second chorus, Swift makes it clear who this song is for, as she sings “‘Cause shade never made anybody less gay.”

Those lyrics only contribute further to Swift’s newly open support of the LGBTQ community. Even in the Apple Music description of her upcoming album Lover, Swift acknowledges that while she hasn’t been open about her political leanings in the past, she’s officially over that and is “standing up and speaking out.”

In the last few months, Swift has ramped up her efforts of being an ally; she donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to a Tennessee LGBTQ organization, vocalized her support of the Equality Act and urged her state representatives to do the same. “For American citizens to be denied jobs or housing based on who they love or how they identify, in my opinion, is un-American and cruel,” she wrote in an open letter.

While there’s no doubt that Swift has felt this way for a long time, it is still all the more meaningful that she has finally opened up about that support with both lyrics and action. Even in her lyric video, the star gives a shoutout to GLAAD, and highlights the letters “EA” to further promote the Equality Act.

Anthony Ramos, GLAAD’s director of talent and engagement, thanked Swift in a post released on the organization’s website, saying “Taylor Swift is one of the world’s biggest pop stars. The fact that she continues to use her platform and music to support the LGBTQ community and the Equality Act is a true sign of being an ally.”

Ramos is right — Swift is perhaps the biggest pop star in the world, which only gives her promotion of inclusivity more meaning. Where other artists would shy away due to fear of being dropped by a more conservative audience, Swift has planted herself firmly as an ally to the LGBTQ community, regardless of what some prejudiced listeners may think.

Fans of the star are over the moon with the singer’s support, continuing to call her a “gay icon” and referring to the song as a “2019’s gayest anthem.” Check out some of our favorite reactions from fans below: