I chose myself over whatever might be. But by taking myself out of the masculinity game, that literally turned my life around, and all of those layers were building blocks to the authentic human being you see in front of you who gives zero f*cks.
When I actually leaned into my truth, this is what ultimately happened. Did it take two-plus decades? Yes. But it’s happening. And this is my ministry.”Billy Porter speaking to ESSENCE after becoming the first openly gay Black man to appear on its cover.
Related: Billy Porter is freaking out about his first-ever nude scene, says he may need to take a Valium
wiredpup
Who?
dinard38
I really wish people would stop doing that “who” sh*t. It’s so played out. In the world of Google, it takes 30 seconds to search.
But of course you know who he is. This is just your passive aggressive way of saying that he’s a nobody. Still annoying!
WashDrySpin
this person knows who Billy is…
Troysky
uggh.
Denny98
I do enjoy ‘Pose’ – but just a little over Billy Porter.
trsxyz
He is so annoying…
dinard38
He really is. Just a bit over-the-top for me.
bachy
I find it interesting how many gay men (to say nothing of women) now “hate masculinity.” WTF, people??
charmin88
I love Billy Porter he Is being him. Nobody hates masculinity but we will allow men who are not masculine to be themselves. Nobody has ever came up to anyone and so “ugh Yuck! Your to masculine I hate that!” Get a life people! Stop being scared of femininity. If more men stop worrying so much about what people think the world will be a better place.
splunky
Same. Masculinity must be fragile af if all these so called masculine men feel threatened by a man in a dress.
Donston
It’s not about hating masculinity. It’s just that we still treat masculinity as a superior attribute to possess, especially for a “queer” guy. And it’s frequently harmful. There are too many guys who concerned with coming off masculine or feminine or concerned with coming off “too gay”. This constant need to “prove” your manhood helps to assist things like manipulation, internalized homophobia, gay shame, being emotionally stunted. While you have these dudes who pride themselves on being masculine or “straight passing”, but in reality they’re overtly “queer” as hell. It’s very lame.
Men have such fragile egos. And too many have self-esteem directly connected public perception. Truly not giving a fvck about socio-political validation and what the world thinks of you is something we really need to be preaching.
Ronbo
I’d love to see Billy, in full gown, twirl into a conservative, Baptist church. He would be the spark to burn down their hateful anti-gay, anti-compassionate agenda of hate.
The best way to defeat their hateful sermon is to come out and Billy is the perfect man to do the job. Remaining DL or even just not being visible in the church is how the hate remains anchored in outmoded thinking.
Win the pastor and win the congregation; win the congregation and win the pastor. Either way, we need more “Billy” in the aisles.
Josh447
I don’t think Billy destroyed the masculinity game, if there is one. He did however destroy his own judgement game regarding his drag queen nature, both existing in his own mind.
Judgement is an issue (courtesy of the hellfire and brimstone crowd) most people face regardless of what angle one is viewing any hot button situation from. It can also be one of the most difficult behavior patterns to break.
Kuddos to him for doing so.
LumpyPillows
Love BP, but who decided masculinity was a bad thing? I really can’t stand these anti-men people.
Donston
It’s not about being anti-male, at least not for most people. And masculinity is not inherently bad. Treating masculinity as superior, editing and faking things to fit into sociological fractures or to feel like a “real man”, using masculinity to covertly shield or promote internalized homophobia/gay shame- these are common and toxic things. And I can barely judge, because I used to contribute to some degree and benefit. Hell, many “fem” guys use other guys’ femininity to insult them. While some present their femininity as an inferior attribute in order to attract masculinity. It is a general problem.
Terrycloth
Billy can be a raving screaming queen who wants to push his sexuality front and center.i find him odd and must be taken in VERY small doses.i will say his song “Love yourself ” is amazing. Some may like his boldness. I think its too much
Donston
He’s a “raving” and “screaming” queen? In most interviews Billy is calm and chill. He’s hardly over the top. Wearing a dress and being less conventionally masculine does not equate to being over-the-top camp. Only someone who’s fem-phobic would think it does. You just seem like the type who believes every dude who is not closeted and/or who doesn’t live up to masculine standards is a “raving queen”.
trsxyz
I agree with Terrycloth. I find Billy loud, aloof, preachy and ‘in-your-face’ to a degree that’s just a turn-off.