So, this is gonna be rough.
Miley Cyrus, who identifies as queer, was live on Instagram with her new boyfriend, Cody Simpson. They were talking about Miley’s emotional state, feminism, and queerness…and it didn’t go well.
I just wanna warn you guys that some of her comments can be interpreted as homophobic, so proceed with caution.
Miley and Cody are a new thing.
She’s currently dating Cody Simpson, Australian singer and former boyfriend of Gigi Hadid.
They announced they were dating in early October. Miley was previously connected to Kaitlynn Carter, but they broke up in late September.
They were on Instagram live recently.
@bljcmie on Twitter posted an excerpt from the live, which is the source of Miley’s viral comments.
“I was just being, like, hardcore feminist vibes. Like, I don’t know, not allowing anyone in,” Miley began.
She started talking about men.
“There are good men out there, guys. Don’t give up. You don’t have to be gay, there’s good people out there with [expletive].”
So, I can’t tell you what she said, but just assume it’s a slang word for a man’s genitals.
Cody thought it was funny.
“You just gotta find ‘em. You gotta find a [expletive] that’s not a [expletive], you know what I mean?”
“You don’t have to be gay!” Cody laughed.
Um…well, alright then! That sure is a conversation that they had, huh?
She kept going.
“I know. I always thought I had to be gay because I just thought, like, all guys were evil. But it’s not true. There are good people out there who just happen to have [expletive]. I’ve only ever met one, but —”
“Only ever met one!” Cody interjected.
“And he’s on this live.”
So, you can imagine how well those comments were received.
People immediately took to social media to protest Miley’s words.
Some found them homophobic. Others thought they were ignorant. Others thought they were transphobic, too.
A few fans claimed that she was just joking.
The original poster had some questions.
It’s hard to see how these comments could be misconstrued, especially with those specific quotes pulled out of the video.
Miley later spoke on the subject but did not indicate that she was in any way joking.
Some thought this sounded familiar.
“Miley Cyrus using queer identity to forge herself a new persona to gain attention and then turns around and claims you don’t have to be gay you just got to find a good [expletive] the moment it doesn’t serve her narrative anymore?”
This has echoes of the criticism she’s faced in regard to cultural appropriation. Some commentators have accused her of using and discarding black culture depending on her success.
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Shoutout to Miley!
My favorite thing about Twitter is the entire site’s ability to laugh through the pain.
Also, no one asked, but gay Twitter is one of the funniest parts of Twitter. Thank you, good day.
Her past was not lost on people.
Some argued that her comments were lesbophobic, while others said they were biphobic.
However, pretty much everyone agreed they were not in any way wise…and that’s putting it lightly.
Transphobia was also discussed.
“Damn. In 30 seconds @MileyCyrus managed to burn up all goodwill she’d ever built with queer and trans people.
Not all “guys” have [expletive], Miley. Thought you knew better. You “had to be gay” because men are bad? Do you not realize what an anti-lesbian trope that is? Gross.”
Implying that all men have male genitalia erases trans men. Implying that dating women is only an option because men are “evil” is…well, it’s just bad, really.
Some of her fans defended her.
“It’s so damn annoying. Literally all she meant was that she felt that since men have been nothing but terrible to her, she’d be stuck with only women (the other sex she finds attractive) but then she said that she was WRONG! She worded it in a JOKEY way. Poking fun at HERSELF,” Lori wrote.
It should be noted once again that Miley did not indicate she was joking.
For others, it brought back overt homophobia.
“I’ve had cis straight MEN tell me, a lesbian, almost this exact sentence:
“You don’t have to be gay. There are good people with [expletive] out there, you’ve just got to find them.”
As a queer woman @MileyCyrus should understand how damaging “jokes” like that can be to queer women.” Jade tweeted .
As a queer public figure, it’s important for Miley to not perpetuate untrue and harmful stereotypes. She may not have chosen to be a role model, but for many, she is one.
Miley clarified her comments on Twitter.
It reads: “I was talking [expletive] about sucky guys, but let me clear, YOU don’t CHOOSE your sexuality. You are born as you are. it has always been my priority to protect the LGBTQ community that I am apart of. [rainbow emoji] Happy Monday!”
One fan summed up the situation perfectly.
“i understood your intentions but it still came off wrong and made some people feel [expletive]. thank you for clarifying of course but please just try to be more aware of what you are saying and how you are saying it in the future.” Sadie wrote .
“as a lesbian who was always afraid to embrace my identity because i was scared i hadn’t found “the right guy” it sucks seeing people i love and support say things like that. and i imagine the same goes for some bi people who feel or felt like they have to “pick” a side.”
