Taylor Swift fans boycott New York Times for suggesting she could be 'queer'

The New York Times is bearing the wrath of "Swifties" after the paper published an op-ed that questioned world-famous singer Taylor Swift's sexuality. 

As a result, Swift's fans and friends have launched a boycott campaign against The Times and are calling on individuals to cancel their subscriptions. They allege that the article suggesting that Swift might be "queer" is both "sexist" and "grossly inappropriate," claiming that male singers would never receive the same treatment.

Swift is currently dating Kansas City Chief tight end Travis Kelce and has been a longtime outspoken supporter of the LGBTQ community, often writing subtle references in support of it in her songs.

In the New York Times op-ed titled "Look What You Made Me Do" written by Anna Marks, the author argues that the award-winning Grammy artist has an "affinity for queer identity" and could be hiding her true sexuality from the world.

"Whether she is conscious of it or not, Ms. Swift signals to queer people — in the language we use to communicate with one another — that she has some affinity for queer identity," wrote Marks.

Immediate backlash ensued shortly after the article was published, with Taylor Swift's fans, who are known as "Swifties," voicing their distaste and questioning the paper's moral ethics. Swift, 34, is known to have one of the most dedicated fanbases in the world.

"Just cancelled my subscription. This article is sexist and grossly inappropriate," one user wrote on X.

"What the hell did I just read? It's severely disturbing that the NYT would participate in the ultimately phobic attempted "outing" of Taylor Swift. Hell of a way to treat an ally, Anna Marks," said another X user.

"There is something deeply wrong with the New York Times publishing this article speculating that Taylor Swift may be secretly queer—based on absolutely nothing," another user wrote. "This is the kind of garbage that belongs in the supermarket checkout next to the National Enquirer."

Reflecting on Swift's appearance, Marks provided instances such as wearing rainbow-colored dresses and hairstyles inspired by the bisexual pride flag.

In addition, the author alludes to hidden meanings featured in Swift's lyrics such as being in "glass closets" in Willow. Marks also mentioned that Swift recognized lesbian artist Louie Fuller during her Reputation tour.
 

"In isolation, a single dropped hairpin is perhaps meaningless or accidental, but considered together, they’re the unfurling of a ballerina bun after a long performance," Marks wrote.

"Those dropped hairpins began to appear in Ms. Swift’s artistry long before queer identity was undeniably marketable to mainstream America. They suggest to queer people that she is one of us," she added.

Taylor Swift frequently makes national headlines for being one of the most famous singers in the world. Some conservative commentators suggest that due to her outspoken Democratic politics, she will be utilized as a key player during the 2024 US presidential election in an attempt to ensure a Democrat victory.