Are You a QUEER in secret?

[@MichaelHenrycomedy]

Everyone in this video is an actor, acting out roles from a written script, written by me. I’m sure you all know that but wanted to specify. Thank you again! Love you all and hope you enjoyed this video! Xoxo

[@gabymerman9005]

Yes we did enjoy it ! Smart writing as usual, always enlightening, open-hearted and never preachy. Love from France !

[@MichaelHenrycomedy]

@@gabymerman9005 thank you!

[@deidre1965]

I loved it... and kudos to you for giving yourself writer's cred on your original script 👏🏽 🎉❤ Keep em coming

[@nivarad]

Michael is reading Harry Styles without even mentioning his name.

[@wajt8966]

Absolutely

[@meawwow]

that was literally the first name that popped in my mind

[@camecex]

Indeed

[@mykittystinksbad2]

How? Him and his husband Louis Tomlinson are a thing or at least were.

[@lordsxman]

Yes, it's called shade.

[@thomase13]

Absolutely brilliant writing, and really well acted too! This is an issue I’ve thought a lot about, and I love when you show both sides and don’t need to serve a tidy conclusion - a lot like the best of the ContraPoints videos!

[@MichaelHenrycomedy]

Thanks for the kind words I really appreciate that and love her!

[@AnarchoPurp]

@@MichaelHenrycomedycollab? 👀

[@Bahiyyih4]

OMG I Love Contrapoints too!!!!

[@john.premose]

Cringey writing. Keep that psychobabble far away. So over that rubbish

[@gpeddino]

I love it that both sides of the debates are always very valid. Food for thought.

[@postcyber14]

Love that aspect in Michael's videos. Nothing is black and white in this world!

[@john.premose]

Only one is valid. All that pseudo intellectual speak Michael is doing in this is cringe beyond words.

[@rudyspective1870]

OK but I need to say this- that crochet top is FABULOUS!! WANT! 🕺💙💙

[@Texaslawhorn]

I was at Subway once and ordered a 6". The guy making the sandwich asked me if I could take more. Caught me off guard haha

[@Mulkahdiiv]

The douche water would dribble out of me at that point

[@Texaslawhorn]

@@Mulkahdiiv haha funny but relatable 😶

[@simmerway]

Comparing the situation of Kit Connor to Harry Styles is interesting in this case. Kit Connor had never made any suggestion that he was queer, just played and a queer character when he was a teenager. Harry Styles has made millions off of suggesting that he might be queer in his 20s. There is definitely a spectrum as to how much scrutiny someone deserves

[@mykittystinksbad2]

Didn't Kit come out as Bi?

[@TheEndIsTheStart]

@@mykittystinksbad2 because he was basically forced to which was really sad

[@gljm]

A Classic case of "Is he Gay or just British".

[@simmerway]

@@mykittystinksbad2 yeah but I was taking about before he came out

[@BlanBonco]

My question about both is if they weren't attractive would anybody care?

[@BakaNeBaka]

This is what Billy Porter has been saying and it does make sense. Both sides are valid and it remains a debatable issue...

[@Igivegdparent]

i was looking for a comment like this and i agree 100%

[@davidserlin8097]

Thanks for saying this. Hollywood is so much more comfortable with a Harry Styles than a Billy Porter, and not just for the obvious racial differences, although that is clearly a part of the picture.

[@marktyler2068]

Billy Porter isn't sexually ambiguous so it isn't interesting. What's interesting about Harry Styles is a sense of complex character and complex style when he wears such clothes. Billy Porter is talented but his wearing a dress would not make anyone look twice or buy a magazine because it's completely expected and he actually doesn't do it in an interesting way.

[@BTScriviner]

The single guy on the bench is right. It's not anyone's right to demand another person come out or declare himself anything.

[@M-CH_]

Good faith or bad faith, genuine or cynical, having people with this much clout gender-bending in public pushes the window of what is acceptable more open for the actually queer folk. Change my mind.

[@jonhinson5701]

Even my straight brother has serious questions about Harry Styles.

[@Scar-jg4bn]

I still hate the word "queer". I grew up with it being a slur and at this point edgy straight people claim "queer" identity just for clout.

[@MatteBlack2024]

Totally with you on this one, too, Michael. Similarly, I don’t click or “like” non-gay-identified guys using their bodies to manipulate gay points for easy coins. There are too many hot gay-identified guys nowadays.

[@boriquaelrey7129]

Michael, this is so relevant. Whether an ally, queer or a nonconformist. We should at some level be represented by someone in our community. I’m not trying say that any individual doesn’t have to right to express themselves, but if it’s just to stay relevant or to bait the community, I have an issue with that. I love the way you wrote this skit and how both side are being heard. We shouldn’t be gatekeepers but we should be authentically be respected in our space. ❤❤❤

[@lordsxman]

That last sentence is a contradiction. The act of authentically being respected in our spaces, or even defining that authenticity IS gatekeeping. Because who gets to say who's being authentic and who's not? And what level of authenticity is good enough to be in our spaces?? I'm afraid gatekeeping is a necessary evil.

[@cutlers3618]

@@lordsxman But it is sometimes necessary.

[@Zeverinsen]

@@cutlers3618 When? Who are you to say what is and isn't authentic anyway?

[@cutlers3618]

@@Zeverinsen If you have watched the video, than just look at what Michael and his friend sitting next to him said. Than you might understand my point.

[@chrisserrific]

Thank you for bringing this up in a way that leaves room for nuance. It was brilliant!

[@nekomochi486]

Love you Michael. The dialogue was very well put together!

[@dragomir_in_giardino]

the Harry Styles of it all makes me furious! And this sketch explains it all. Love you Michael Henry!!

[@8TurnThatOnItsSide]

I don't think that gender-nonconforming celebs need to be queer to be legit but I do think it would be good for them to be allies and support the LGBTQIA+ community.

[@1danny]

I think straight or sexually ambiguous men wearing dresses is good. It helps disconnect the two things in people's minds. I don't want the strights to think "oh, of course he's wearing a dreess, he's gay". Also it's not like we queers "own" the concept of men wearing dresses. Yes it stings a bit seeing how they get to use their privilege to do things that queer people were, and are, ostracized for. But I would say they are using their privilege for a good cause, they are normalizing us in society. Imagine if conservative men started to wear dresses; yes, we could say they would be appropriating our culture, but that would also be the day that no one would care if I wore a dress.

[@vizual1one]

Michael and the gang doin' the Subway 12" tease! Loving it! Thank you!

[@teralmiles]

As a 50 year old gay guy that doesn’t wear dresses or lace tops, I can officially say.. I haven’t got a clue what half of this is about?

[@minnesotajohn29]

I love this video (and all your vids). It's amazing that you left it open-Kit Connor & Harry Styles show that while this is a complicated issue, there's no perfect answer-bravo for showing that ambiguity.

[@gregsthrottle]

THE REAL WORLD VS ROAD RULES CROSSOVER REFERENCE 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 I HOWLED, Michael 🤣😂🤣

[@steventodd7280]

I dont think it's complicated. If straight people are benefiting by doing queer things, I call it appropriation. At the very least, use your platform and be a vocal ally.

[@BloodyHowl69]

ya'll better cancel harry styles for this kind of chronically online take.

[@Tankorr]

It's a fine line. I don't think we should be gatekeeping fashion, because we need to move in this direction as a society - but I agree these people should be vocal allies at a bare minimum.

[@Zeverinsen]

Tell me what makes wearing a feather boa or sequins queer. He can and should live his life in whatever way he chooses. Just like a trans person doesn't have to dedicate their entire life to trans activism, any effeminate man shouldn't have to be queer or an outspoken ally, simply because of who they are. *They can if they want to,* but it is unfair to always expect those who are different to do certain things by virtue of who they are, and not because they want to. We don't expect that of typical dude bro men, why shouldn't other people be afforded that freedom and luxury?

[@georgeoust]

What do you label “queer things”? Men wearing dresses or not conforming to gender norms shouldn’t be restricted to the gay community

[@steventodd7280]

@georgeoust queer things... things that aren't heteronormative. It's that simple. You can, of course, say that everyone has the freedom to do what they want. That isn't the issue. If you capitalize on using the culture of another group in which you aren't actually a part of... it's appropriation, not appreciation.

[@MrOssyMoro]

Please stop call everyone LGBT queer, I'm gay not queer.

[@cscms28]

Amen. I don't even identify with gay anymore. I know I like men, always have. But lately all I see is a big wall board with tons of thumbtacks and strings connecting all these terms to each other, but not that one, and not this one, and this one only on Tuesdays. Seems like it is all being made up as we go along

[@michaelspencer3894]

Me too I’m gay have been my life and I lost many many many gay friends in the early years and fought for a cure never liked the word queer, and I don’t want to be considered that

[@scottrousseau496]

Great stuff. Lots to think about. Thank you. Very thoughtful writing.

[@kennstransky]

Love that you wrote he is going for the Foot Long... A Good choice.

[@JasonsFrequency]

I just know being your friend in real life must be full of interesting moments and laughs! You are just so natural

[@alexd6351]

Thanks!

[@MichaelHenrycomedy]

Thanks so much for your support!

[@BrianThrives]

Well written, showcases both sides. Bravo.

[@Leftatalbuquerque]

Sounds like Claire Danes isn't the only one with a so-called life.

[@donaldstanfield8862]

🎯♥️🔥

[@Nxckko]

*cough* Harry styles staying "non conforming" *cough*

[@StevieCooper]

Mhmmmm

[@georgeoust]

Yes so? Any problem with that?

[@stopthe32109]

Okay this isn't about this video, but I'M SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU ON DROPOUT!!!!! And I hope there will be more of you!!! I am not sure I'll survive the episode!!!!!

[@MichaelHenrycomedy]

Hahahaha. Thank you!!! I was so happy to do it.

[@cscms28]

Sometimes I pretend that I am a Pro Golfer who is winning more and more. The press starts asking questions about my love life, but I don't really want to talk publicly about that. I win a major tourney and the questions escalate. It becomes a viral sensation, all the tabloids, TMZ, even this youtube channel, are spinning out. I hold firm, on principle, that it is nobody's business, and even start advocating for privacy and the rights of closeted people and the right to be closeted. I am not trying to fool anybody, I even kiss my boyfriend on THE 18TH green, after a winning putt on live TV. Yet, I will not answer these questions, in support of all the closeted gay people in the world. I even declare myself as " In the Closet." I even marry my boyfriend, but say that he is in the closet too. Everybody's head explodes, but eventually they lose interest. There is nothing wrong with being private. Not everything needs a label.

[@Adrian_VB]

Ha😂 cough cough Harry Styles

[@LovesGaming37]

So legit question for everyone, gay, straight, ace, whatever you are: if it is wrong for a straight man to wear dresses and dress more feminine because it's taking from gay men, is a straight woman dressing as a tomboy wrong because of the same argument, ie taking from lesbians?

[@BrianBrecker]

I don't think so!

[@1liveunderabridge]

No, because it's perfectly acceptable today for women to wear "traditionally" masculine clothes. Woman in jeans and leather jacket = whatever, u see it everyday Man in dress and makeup = weirdo, transvestite, freak There is a double standard unfortunately.

[@BlanBonco]

Its not the positive semiotics that matter but the negative ie Bud Lite. Do what you want if it's not hateful.

[@alexdelaloire8739]

It's not wrong for straight men to wear dresses or dress feminine. It's wrong when the man plays with this ambiguity to maintain the attention on him.

[@dirtydan5399]

@@alexdelaloire8739 this!!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾Nothing wrong with straight man doing/wearing stereotypical gay things (dress, harnesses, painting nails). Everything wrong with straight man using gay for profit/clout when it’s convenient, yet nowhere to be found when gays are experiencing violence for the very things straights get praised for.

[@thatssonolan8728]

Love this, because I’ve had this conversation a couple times and both sides are right. ❤

[@owlislike]

On one had..anyone should be allowed to wear what they want and be allowed to shed toxic stereotypes and ideas about what a certain type of person must look and act like. On the other hand, the power structure in this country is still based on the needs of straight, white, men. Homophobia/Transphobia impacts everyone, even straight white men ( if they would only realize this en masse) so...maybe the movements can move forward congruently?

[@DrayseSchneider]

Being a secret queer but without the social or financial clout and not doing anything in public. Been there, done that. 😅

[@alexdelaloire8739]

Yes but for us, it's called the Closet. For these celebrities, it's called "Courage and Freedom"😭

[@TheYopogo]

Great discussion, not sure which side I come down on, but I do have something to add. It's worth remembering that cis straight people who do stuff that's more queer-ish don't actually just totally get away with it because they're technically straight. Homophobes aren't in the business of letting their friends wear dresses out in public, and giving them a pass just because they're straight. You may not be queer, but even if you're not you still take on *some* of the burden of queerness when you behave like that.

[@user_kH9bw3ns1]

That is a good point. I usually see things a little differently. The person in question always has a back up answer of "I'm just kidding/playing" if/when they are confronted by a violent homophobe. That said, the nonconforming person may still be coded as queer, carrying the risks of not conforming. I believe things come down to the risk v.s. reward. I find it insulting to the intelligence when someone plays the "I'm being risky" angle and gets highly rewarded for supposedly taking a risk where little to no risk was really there.

[@raydaveed]

​@@user_kH9bw3ns1Exactly 👏🏽👏🏽

[@Luke-rm1kw]

That's true, but think of people like Matty Healy who performed in Malaysia and kissed a man, causing a huge homophobic uproar in the country. LGBT people there were upset that he created a mess for them to deal with, while having no skin in the game or being a real ally as a straight man.

[@TheYopogo]

It strikes me that these aren't about straight people doing queer-ish things, they're about *celebrities* who are straight doing queer-ish things. It's not about cis-het people who have some things about themselves that are unconventional in a gender way, it's about *entertainers* who have no real experience with or connection to queerness using Queer-ish behaviour as an entertainment spectacle. There is a world of difference between a cis-het guy wearing a dress and a cis-het media/entertainment celebrity making *content* where they wear a dress.

[@mykittystinksbad2]

@@Luke-rm1kw their anger is misplaced. It should be directed at the evil homophobic laws on Malaysia.

[@morganmiller41]

This is how i kinda feel about LadyBeard. If you don't know he's a crossdressing wrestler,cosplayer, and most famous for being a metal singer in jpop idol groups. But with how famous he is all his photos and videos are for entertainment. There are no paparazzi photos of him outside of his work which is odd since he's had careers in multiple countries.

[@shoegal]

Thanks for helping me discover him

[@snazzydrew]

I love this video as someone who loves vague sexuality because labels are dumb and confusing and you can just straight up never guess what's actually going on with people. So I just embrace that "sexuality" as defined by anyone who uses one word to define has horribly limited themselves to a more fluid understanding. A lot of does come from internalized homophobia though inflicted on us by bullies, so I get it. Sometimes I'm a little bitter about how some people are able to present(or not present) their queerness but then I remember there are people who are probably jealous of how I interact with my own queer identity.

[@ItTakesCourage]

There's an episode of "The Other Two" all about this!!! Actors who say "I don't comment on my sexuality" lol

[@paulthor6255]

Wow! Omg! This was actually interesting. Yes,yes,yes....😎🖤👍

[@DillyBlue]

It's such a "two things can be true" situation.

[@JBabyLeather]

This was a really interesting video, a lot of good points to discuss and see it as a grey issue.

[@georgeoust]

I have a feeling this is very age divided. The majority of the audience here is on the older side. As a GenZ I’ve never heard this argument. For the majority of queer GenZ Harry is an icon and while some could understand some of the points in the video, most would disagree. I myself also think this is a non issue. While I do believe letting openly queer people be in the spotlight is very important, to punish people for not wanting to be labeled is problematic. I have had friends who just identified as “non straight” without a label, as well as people who just didn’t label themselves at all and it’s quite common/accepted in my generation. Just giving the perspective of someone younger on this topic. Since the gay community is typically very progressive I often don’t notice age and generations, but there’s a few moments like this that make me feel that generational divide does exist even here.

[@johnferradino]

Get that boy some sun chips!

[@justthecoolestdudeyo9446]

It should also be pointed relevant that they are not making themselves the "poster children" of anything. That's media and audience reaction, and it's not really fair to blame them that their public gender nonconformity gets this kind of attention

[@justthecoolestdudeyo9446]

In general, I lean towards "Don't police what people wear, even if you think your reason is 'woke'", but I do agree with the comments that this kind of stuff also isn't uniform, some people are being more "authentic" to themselves than others. Even being "inauthentic" and gender nonconforming is perfectly fine to me and doesn't require endless discourse. Queerness isn't an ethnic or racial group, it's a relationship with norms and ideals that shift all the time. Getting too fixated on whether or not this person is queer or whatnot to me gives up on the joy of being in this community- that we can be and express ourselves and act without endless self-policing of norms and expectations of the wider culture

[@rakbung]

Queers take back Platonic Dialogues ✊🏽 Bloody love Michael Henry et al 💅🏽

[@cycleTheHike]

Queer focus is especially complicated for us coming from places where we can't yet marry the person we love.

[@CharlesDenison]

That look after the Subway suggestion 😆😆😆

[@L-mo]

This was actually really useful as I was confused about Harry Styles.

[@Pedigru]

Wait. This isn't real life? Because this is exactly how I imagine things are.

[@SanCarlosGuy2001]

Love this one almost as much as I like Michael's shirt and I like his shirt a lot!

[@badabingbadaboom6333]

I’m surprised you haven’t got Subway sponsorship yet, considering you’ve promoted it more than any manscaping or vibrating products.

[@BigGRYFF99]

Shoot I was waiting for the code lol

[@wajt8966]

😂

[@josephlaufer4154]

Michael -- so talented! This issue comes up for me every day [oh, there's a line] . . . I live in West Philadelphia, I can't tell one type from another. So I just smile and complement M/F/? Things I like: earrings, boots, color/coordination and style. I get a smile, when seen again they greet me . . . people are good when your good. -- big HUG for you, [been a fan for years] -- jojo

[@Nikodymus]

Sooooo glad you said it

[@poodlewater666]

remember when sun chip had those loud ass bags?

[@leesohrabi]

Harry Styles left the group 😂

[@GarrettWatts]

"you a Sun-Chips girl?"

[@mikeboehl5260]

I think the issue is that Hollywood just won't let us tell our own stories, and putting the pressure on actors is only going to force a lot of people out who are not ready to be out, while doing nothing to change Hollywood's practices. Put the pressure on the people making the decisions and only call the actors out when they are deliberately queerbaiting, I say And straight guys wearing dresses and shit just further normalizes it, so it is an overall win

[@calabiyau9269]

That be Maaly Raw!

[@Aftermost3590]

I agreed most with "Why are you gatekeeping his or anyone elses queerness?"

[@taylorsublett5710]

I love the gender fluid, queerness of Gen Z. They question everything, even themselves, and then don't give an eff about what the older generations think. Good for them, I say! And in 20 years they'll be whining about "kids today! No respect for the past!" The Circle of Time will march on...😃

[@sorprendidopor]

Well these types of things doesn’t happen often to people like harry styles 👀

[@jf...a-p1t]

Disagree, we all benefit when any guy wears a dress and pushes boundaries on gender/sexuality

[@jonathanbalagtas848]

Michael is definitely right.❤🎉🙏

[@brandonlrushman2870]

I use to think like that. Then I realized I should mind my own business because what goes around comes around. Just because someone has everything doesn’t mean they aren’t figuring things out in their own head, dealing with thing’s behind closed doors. Did we learn nothing about the Britney Spears situation! 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@Slowwagonftl]

Real af.

[@richardlane2651]

Hi, we just said hello to you in Old Compton Street, it was raining (of course 🙄) Hope you enjoyed your stay in London. X

[@nicolasvillanueva3000]

All the cheddar Sun Chips gurls, hollah!!

[@scotthix2297]

I’m an old gay man…boomer. Watching Michael’s video entries makes me very annoyed. But I keep watching.

[@purplecouch4767]

“What are you a cop?”

[@toychristopher]

Did he really say, "What's a sun chip?" at the end?

[@stanbalo]

I think anyone can dress whatever but when it is mainly incorporated to one's public persona for attention, following and clout..it is problematic and inauthentic

[@georgeoust]

Since when did not following gender norms and making your persona “not caring abt gender norms” problematic 💀 Tf yall talking abt?

[@stanbalo]

@@georgeoust it is not problematic if you just do you and keep moving along. It becomes a problem if you pester people with it like what is happening now with the nonsense pronouns etc.

[@ClassicalFreak74]

Well said!

[@HeWhoWalksBehindTheRows9]

OMG !!!! i love the mtc challenge reference

[@charliedesi]

This is a very good conversation we should be having. I, personally, see it as appropriation and queer-baiting, but I could be wrong. I have been once before!

[@patrickhsu5582]

Queerness includes variation in dress and presentation and doesn’t necessitate straying from heterosexuality. As it enters the mainstream, it will only get harder to keep that line defined, which is understandably going to take queer people who grew up when queerness was taboo a bit of time to acclimate to as we are functionally watching people who hadn’t suffered the type of discrimination we had receive the acceptance and often celebration that some of us still haven’t seen for ourselves yet. With that being said, hard to swallow as it may be, I think heterosexual people who explore the wide range of gender expression in their presentation is only going to get more common and can only help continue to normalize queerness.

[@mcallister..b8891]

I just think focusing this issue on one person is just problematic and bullying just pressure the producers and networks so you can get more super open queer rep, gender expression and sexuality is just too complicated to make broad assumptions about what you think individuals are doing with their lives snd bodies. Also anybody at any position in life can feel like their not ready to come out having money and fame helps but it's a lot of internal work as well. I just don't like it makes me feel icky let people live and wage war on corporations

[@sushicourier]

I love Preston

[@solewole]

👏🏽BRAVO✨✨✨

[@adams303]

I despise the term queer and I’d prefer people didn’t use it.

[@10-OSwords]

Yeah okay...but where is that tank top from?????

[@JarHead54321]

I loved Sarah Z's recent video on queerbaiting, highly recommend it to anyone who wants a more nuanced take on this topic! 😊

[@januaryhymn]

there’s no excuse for benefiting from queerness without being a vocal ally, at a minimum.

[@marktyler2068]

Ambiguity has way more potential to make people think than adversarial or in your face approaches. Although the latter makes the existing choir members feel better - misery loves company.

[@user-tt5xj5ib1e]

Harry I can see you hiding in the closet and no it doesn't go to Narnia, but there is an ice queen who must be defeated at the Abbey and it's Taco Tuesday :D 🤔🚪❄😆🤣

[@tamerlano]

I see you Golden Girls reference

[@puppy7505]

Since so many of your videos have become an Ad, WHICH I AM NOT COMPALINING ABOUT AT ALL BECUASE THEY ARE VERY WELL DONE, am I to take away from this video that this is a low key Ad for Subway?

[@kinganime1x]

I still don’t see that I’m trying to be open mined but regarding what people put there money in they should do there research first and if his straight and wears dresses it’s a style , not all gay people wear dress and the ones that do they don’t do it cuss there gay they do it because they like how it looks on them n the style we as a community can’t gate keep styles and makeup not saying that we do but we shouldn’t even care bout Wht other people are doing with there lives @curt

[@JunKurosu]

The gay frat?

[@pxn748]

I don't know either, please let us know!

[@MichaelHenrycomedy]

@@pxn748 fraternity. It’s a made up show.

[@BlanBonco]

I've seen the park bench but you could go to beach or hiking or uh leather bar. I promise to watch Bros now I'll feel better anyways

[@craybest]

Ally McBeal lol

[@aldrinvaron9933]

❤❤❤❤

[@carlpacheco2058]

Harry Styles has left the chat

[@DapperZach]

I feel that way about Nico Tortorella. I cis man in a heterosexual marriage saying he is non-binary, reaping all the benefits of fitting into traditional roles.

[@georgeoust]

How is he a “man” if he’s non binary? I feel like some of the comments here have done the opposite of progressive and gone regressive

[@muhannadjbara2656]

what about : free to express your self

[@Breoreos1]

It's interesting. Yes, the person should at least clarify that they are a straight ally. However, I think it is possible that they are for breaking the gender stereotypes, while also not being an ally. The gender stereotypes hurt everyone, and you don't necessarily need to be an ally to want to break that system in society.

[@wickedlester2743]

Hi Preston!