BY: Denver Sean
Published 5 years ago
Lil Nas X came out as gay last year and opened up a new conversation about sexuality in mainstream music — but he never actually planned to do so.
In a new interview with the Guardian, the Lil Nas X openly discussed his sexuality and the realities of coming out as a young Black man.
via Complex:
“The honest truth is, I planned to die with the secret,” he told the publication. “But that changed when I became Lil Nas X.”
Though he’s been leaning into that part of his identity—and notably has begun wearing more intricate and extravagant outfits on every red carpet—he also doesn’t want to pressure his young fans into having to dress or look a certain way. “I 100 percent want to represent the LGBT community,” he said. “I don’t want to encourage them to do something they don’t 100 percent want to do. Especially in, like, middle school or high school. Because it’s just super-hard.”
“It’s easier for me,” he continued. “I’m not depending on anybody. There’s no one who’s going to kick me out of the house—nobody to start treating me shitty.”
He discussed his relationship with his family. Last year, he touched on the “nerve-wracking” experience of coming out to his father—and in the Guardian interview, he reveals he doesn’t speak to his mother.
“My family knows now,” he told the publication. “But it’s not something that’s ever brought up or we speak about. We’re quiet on it. Nobody’s like, ‘Oh, you got a boyfriend?’
“I don’t want [my love life] to be something we never talk about. Because what about the kids in my family? I would like it to be a healthy medium between, ‘Who are you fucking?’ and just not saying anything.”
Lil Nas X’s experience isn’t going to reflect every young gay Black man’s experience with sexuality and coming out, but hopefully he’s able to offer some representation to those who see themselves in his journey.
