Growing up, did you have any LGBTQ role models that you looked up to? Or did the lack of representation influence you to do what you’re doing today?
“I think the latter. I think the lack of representation is definitely something that kind of shaped the way that I’m trying to mold my whole career. I remember the first gay kiss that I ever saw on TV and how much it blew my mind. And I never saw it again for a number of years. Eventually then hearing about someone like Ricky Martin coming out, or George Michael, and those were kind of the ones that I saw and I just couldn’t see myself in those people. They were so much older than I was, and, yeah, it was just a different world. I’m always trying to be true to myself and hopefully some people will be able to see themselves in me, and think, ‘Oh! I’m like that person.’ Or at the very least understand that it’s okay to be different.”— Troye Sivan, in a new interview with Paper.
Prinny
Who is he?
ChrisK
@Prinny: I dunno. They pop em out so fast these days. His music is heavy on the synthesizer though.
rozz01
Ageism… wow!., something unheard of.
Kangol
@Prinny: Twink of the moment. The music doesn’t suggest much talent, but he’s getting a shout out on Queerty. Why do you think that is?
SnorlaxationKH
@rozz01: I don’t know if it’s ageism, (though I wouldn’t be surprised), but I think it’s also a mix of not being able to easily relate, because they are in fact older.
Like, “they’ve already experienced this stuff, their full fledged adults, how could they still understand/remember what I’m going through, especially in today’s world of social media?”
That, I get, because it is somewhat different, but I hope this guy and others his age and younger, learn that it was also harder even just 5 years ago, and that the further back you go, those men had even more to worry about.
scotshot
It was harder five years ago? I guess it all depends on point of view.
XzamilIoh
Too scrawny and a flat ass. Pass!
Louis
Smh some of your attitudes I swear smgh.
Hes adorable and hes just a sweet young kid he has a lovely personality and he has a good heart .
Jack Meoff
@XzamilIoh: Nobody asked you to eat him.
Oli1023
@Kangol: he actually writes his own lyrics too. His music helps queer youth feel supported. Which is more than what you’ve ever done for the community.
Xzamilloh
@Jack Meoff: Ignore Captain Obvious… I hurt her feelings and now she’s impersonating me again. If you can’t click on my name, it isn’t me. So have it, CO, gurl… you’re just showing your thin skinned vagina-hurtness
scotshot
You link to a dead blog.
Aromaeus
I’m 26 and I don’t think I can say George Micheal and those of his generation had any influence on my coming out process. It was definitely people closer to my age at the time like Tyler Oakley and other gay youtubers and younger people active on social media.
ChrisK
@Aromaeus: Ha. That reminds me when I was in my twenties and running into this guy who was oh so pissed that I didn’t know who Judy Garland was and could care less about Barbara Streisand. My gay icons were Madonna, Pet Shop Boys, George Michael, etc. Jeez. Now I’m starting to understand how he felt:(
scotshot
I was lucky. I’ve seen a lot from the 1920s up through today. I’ve always been interested in classic film, I feel if you only live in the moment you limit yourself.
ChrisK
It does make me kind of sad that these guys don’t really find these people relevant but at least will have a healthier generation of gaybies coming up. Are icons were closeted through most of their careers and just as fucked up as we were back then.
Kangol
@Oli1023: You don’t know a f*cking thing about me. I have marched, fought and been quite active in helping to make it possible for queens like you to be gay without fear. So go stuff it!
XzamilIoh
@Kangol: Shut up.
SonOfKings
I kind of get this and I kind of don’t. Certainly, you’re going to feel a particular connection to the icons and role models within your own age range. But I remember, as an 18 to 22 year old, also being fascinated by and identifying with the gay celebrities, icons, and role models from 20, 30, and 40 years earlier. So it’s weird to me that a 25 year old would know nothing about popular gay culture except for what was current at that moment. That kind of goldfish memory things just puzzles me. It’s like being in a mansion and the only room you have any interest in knowing about is the room your are presently in.
jdboston617
Obviously, the article is trying to highlight ageism and that would seem the journalist’s fault. Why pull out a few sentences out of an entire article? It seems like lame intentional pigeon holing to get more clicks. (BOO!)
This guy is 21. GM is 53 and RM is 44. Of course these celebrities would be too old for a teenager to identify with them. Duh. Don’t you all remember what it’s like being a teenager. At 17 years old you thought a 21 year old sounded sooo mature. 30 years was ancient. 40 they are your grandpa.
Of course it’s not true, but that called being young. Let them be young.
ChrisK
@SonOfKings: Yes were one in the same on that. However, look at the boys who spend their entire lives in the gayborhoods. No curiosity in anything outside of gay, gay, gay. This is something that’s always been.
jdboston617
@ChrisK: Nothing to be sad about. They are kids being kids. When you were 21 or younger, weren’t your idols closer to your age? Ricky M and George M could be his father. In about 9 years this kid will be 30 and singing a whole other tune. Just kids being kids.
jdboston617
@ChrisK: Respectfully, I have to say that doesn’t make any sense. Most of the gay men I know have higher levels of education, have traveled the world much more extensively, and continue to try new things throughout their life at a much higher rate than my straight friends like new hobbies, school, exercise programs, new careers, etc. Gay men are also more attune to their emotions. To me, these are demonstrations of curiosity in life having nothing to do with being gay.
Perhaps, the hopeless tone of the article is giving you a bad perspective on younger gay men. Don’t listen. 😉
Kangol
@XzamilIoh: Fake account phony, kiss my tuches!
chefnickpantz
He writes his own music. His music is great. He’s a great role model for the lgbtq community. To say he’s the twink of the moment? So fucking stupid. That’s called being jealous. I saw him in concert, he sang live and was great.
scotshot
Where will he be in 20 years? Any one can be the “star” of the moment and never heard from again.
rozz01
@SnorlaxationKH: yeah, there is no understanding the lack of learning history.