Has ‘Gay For Play’ become a thing in 2021?
Lifestyle
‘Gay For Play’ is when actors, recording artists, or entertainers either play up their existing sexuality or “pretend” to be lesbian or gay for the sake of fame. Interestingly, homosexuality appears to have become an easy path to fame and fortune, which has launched an argument regarding good vs. bad and right vs. wrong.
Rapper/singer Lil’ Nas X is one of the most recent artists who’s been accused of being Gay For Play. Although Lil’ Nas X had a mega-hit with the song “Old Town Road,” music experts predicted that his 15 minutes of fame were up once the public tired of his hit song. However, the entertainer with the popular Country & Western-style beat reinvented himself as gay and slightly effeminate, which instantly boosted his fledgling career and surprisingly turned it into a pot of gold.
Yes, Lil’ Nas X went Gay For Play — and all-of-a-sudden presented himself wearing lipstick, lip gloss, tight-fitting underwear, and even parading around with a dancer/boyfriend whom he kissed deeply during a live appearance on the “2021 BET AWARDS.” However, once the artist realized he had permanently cemented himself into pop culture, he immediately sought to remove himself from his LGBTQ identity and the Gay For Play mentality.
Not long after his BET performance, Lil’ Nas X — whose real name is Montero Lamont Hill — announced to the world that he had broken up with his “boyfriend” and had already tired of his homosexual persona.
“This gay sh*t was fun at first. I miss pus*y now” the artist tweeted to the surprise of his fans and followers.
this gay shit was fun at first. i miss pussy now. 🙁
— MONTERO 🦋 (@LilNasX) October 2, 2021
Or, in other words, he was using being gay as a means to advance his career.
MediaTakeOut ran an article entitled “EXPLOSIVE: Rapper Lil Nas X Is ‘NO LONGER’ Gay!!”
After coming out during the summer of 2019, Lil Nas X had (seemingly) become the most famous openly gay rapper in history. Now, the site noted, that legacy has apparently been abandoned, since the rapper “may no longer wish to identify as ‘gay.’” In fact, the site insisted that X and his team are actively working to change his entire image into that of a “straight man.”
“There have long been rumors around music circles” that Lil Nas X is actually bisexual and prefers women, but that he “played up his ‘gay’ image for clout and fame,” the side added.
Broadway and TV actor Billy Porter is another artist who appears to have successfully used Gay For Play to his own advantage.
Although Porter has been around in the Broadway and recording artist world and openly gay for decades, it wasn’t until he began appearing at the Met Gala and other publicity functions in effeminate and “over-the-top” dresses and gowns (blending masculinity with femininity) that he was taken seriously as an entertainer.
The fact that Gay For Play even exists is a powerful testament to the whims of society.
If Lil’ Nas X had simply maintained his “Old Town Road” persona instead of latching on to being a gay icon, his career may have likely have been over by now. However, the rapper/singer with the mediocre voice and limited talent opted to go the gay route and turned his career into ratings gold.
If Billy Porter had never appeared at red carpet events wearing ball gowns other cross-gender attire, his entertainment career may have never moved forward.
Why is it that a singer/rapper with limited talent can get nowhere — but announce he’s “gay” and miraculously get catapulted to the top of the success ladder on the mere strength of his sexuality? Has society become so shallow that anyone who’s gay and dresses or acts opposite to their gender can get instantly rewarded with success regardless of talent or skill? Is this why drag shows with men dressed as women have become so popular — particularly since they are not actually singing live and their only “talent” is being effeminate?
Is it fair for entertainers to fool the public and use being gay for play as their personal highway to success?
I have someone gay in my family I want to share this with. I’m interested on what they have to say about it.