The Gaylors
Among fans of Taylor Swift, there is a stark divide. Some of her fans, who call themselves “Gaylors”, believe that Swift is queer, while others, calling themselves “Hetlors”, believe that she is straight. These two groups of fans disagree not only about Swift’s sexuality, but also about whether it is acceptable to speculate about the sexuality and personal relationships of a massively popular public figure.
The Gaylors believe that Swift has been in queer relationships in the past and that some of her music explores these relationships as well as the queer experience more broadly. They point to Swift’s support for the LGBTQ community through "You Need to Calm Down" and the documentary Miss Americana, to a post on Instagram where she appears to be wearing a bisexual pride bracelet, and to purportedly queer imagery in her songs. Gaylors argue that their speculation about Swift’s relationships is appropriate. Swift is an extremely high profile celebrity whose relationships have been the topic of significant media attention, and they say there’s no difference between public discussion about whether or not she is dating Travis Kelce and discussion about whether or not she is dating a particular woman. Furthermore, Swift has spoken regularly about the queer community, and these fans insist that they are doing no harm by wondering out loud if she is part of this community herself. The belief that Swift might be bisexual has become so mainstream that there was even a New York Times article, “Look What We Made Taylor Do,” that examined the evidence on the subject.
“Hetlors”, on the other hand, believe not only that Taylor Swift is straight but also that the rampant speculation about Swift’s sexuality is invasive and harmful. From their perspective, Swift would come out if she wanted to. They say that if Swift is straight, her fans suggesting that they believe she is queer might make her uncomfortable. Conversely, if she is queer, she has clearly chosen not to come out, and these suggestions are ignoring her wishes to keep her sexuality private. In the prologue of Swift’s re-release for the album 1989, she stated that she had started hanging out with primarily women because if “I only hung out with my female friends, people couldn't sensationalize or sexualize that—right?”. To many, statements like this have been clear cut evidence that the speculation about Swift’s sexuality isn’t only false, but hurtful.
Swift is far from alone in being the topic of such conversation - many other public figures, including Billie Eilish, Sufjan Stevens, and Olivia Rodrigo have also been the topic of similar speculation. Billie Eilish and Sufjan Stevens have both since come out, but not before many fans had publicly wondered about their sexualities.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Does being in the public eye warrant increased interest in one’s private life? Does the reason for someone’s fame matter in answering this question?
Is speculation about someone’s sexuality objectionably invasive? What is the difference, if any, between speculation about a relationship between two out lesbians and about two purportedly straight people?
Does a background of discrimination against people of a particular sexual orientation make a difference to the permissibility of speculating about it? Would it be different if fans were speculating that a gay musician were straight?
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