However, in Korea, it seems they don't put limitations on gender norms when it comes to this aspect. In Western culture, to a "Bro," all signs point to yes - you're a homosexual. Makeup for males is a big industry in Korea and you also see male idols sport girlish clothing, and have concepts like dandy boys and flower boys. Second, we already know that some modern Korean men don't (usually) follow the gender norms most men relate to.
It is your born, natural identity - why is it a problem or used as a way to defame people? The moment people stop doing that, the better the world can be for the LGBTQIA+ community. However, to refer to someone being gay as slander is like saying someone is disgusting just because they are white, black or Korean. Perez, as a gay man, should know better and set a better example.Īside from that, being gay isn't something that is idolized or honored in any country, so it is understandable when someone quickly dismisses any false rumor or idea that they might be gay. It's wrong because he already labeled a person in regards to a sensitive topic about being in the closet which, especially in Korea, is no laughing matter. The way Perez Hilton handled it was absolutely unprofessional because he already made an assumption and questioned "who in the group is out" - meaning they are gay and in the closet. With the controversy being stirred over Perez Hilton's recent bold tweet towards BTS during the Billboard Music Awards, I decided to settle the flame and join the heated discussion and shed some light as to why K-Pop idols' sexual orientation are put into question and address the negative connotations behind being gay.įirst, let's address the real problem here - there is NOTHING wrong with being gay in the first place! It shouldn't be offensive to be questioned as if you're asking if someone has a viral sickness or something. Because Korean culture and their idols are different in so many ways in comparison to gender norms in other countries, it is becoming so common to question any male idols' sexuality before thinking of their talents, or anything else relevant, first.
You've heard it all before "Is that a girl?," "Is he wearing makeup?," and the infamous "Are they gay?" These are the questions that have plagued the international K-Pop fandom since the dawn of time YouTube.