This profile is part of a series of posts about young LGBTQ activists out to make change in the 2018 Queerties category Up & Coming.
James Butler sure knows how to vent, which sometimes become a rant.
The YouTuber and Instagram star boasts more than 25,000 followers and first drew acclaim for his pop culture vlog commentaries, which he launched in 2013. A model and dancer based in (where else?) Los Angeles, James attracted more attention than he ever had before in 2016 when he recorded a video addressing fan comments about his sexuality.
At age 18, James recorded a “life story” coming out video. The frank admission inspired acceptance from his followers, including one coping with his own sexuality and, like so many young LGBTQ people, contemplating suicide. In a follow-up video, James directly addressed his own issues with coming out and loving himself.
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He also lamented that he never came out to his mother before her death.
Related: L.A. School District, Gay Center Launch Anti-Bullying Progam To Combat Teen Suicide
In coming out via YouTube, James demonstrated amazing courage–not just for admitting his truth, but also for allowing himself to appear so vulnerable in the spotlight.
Since then, he’s also shared personal experiences with homophobia, dating, coming out to the rest of his family and, well, how to dance to Disney theme songs.
Vote for James in the 2018 Queerty Awards here.
ChrisK
Ha. I was counting down when Reddish would remove my comment. I’m lost on the point of commenting anymore when they have to be approved ie nothing less then positive.
Kangol
Your comment is still here. Was an earlier one removed? I sometimes have positive comments removed, so I’m not sure what the deal is. James Butler’s story is a great one, too.
ChrisK
I actually said something very positive. I was glad they finally found a black twink to feature. Hopefully they’ll get a clue and add asian and hispanic to their google searches now.
Danny595
Is that a boy or a girl? On second thought, never mind. If there’s a question about that, they aren’t worth the time.
Kangol
Get some glasses, Danny, along with that badly needed psychological help. If you weren’t wound so tight and policing other people’s genders and bedrooms you might click on the links and see that he is a young man. A beautiful, brave one. You might learn something from him.