Gay men love a diva. For us, it’s empowerment and a sense of belonging. A diva is allowed to emote, to feel their feelings and to express them however they want. And a diva allows their fabulousness to overflow as much, or as little, as they want. I mean, what’s not to adore? Lest we forget that some gay men, in particular, have a long history of having to suppress that exact thing; whether it’s for safety, or because of the world’s hostility. 

But Taylor Swift is not the usual gay icon diva. 

I mean we have the classic divas like Madonna who has always been an ally to the LGBTQIA community, or Bette Midler who inspired the sensitive theatre gays to let it all hang out, or glamorous Cher who inspired a million hair flip moans or snap-out-of-its. I could continue because Whitney Houston, Maria Callas, Dolly Parton, Elton John plus Joan Crawford along with Bette Davis should not be forgotten as they have paid their dues also. And showed us, gay men, just how it can be done. Be damned if you don’t like it.

We’re here, queer, and probably getting a drink. 

But Swift has offered the queer community something for a new era: she’s more political, she’s more fluid in her existence, so much less bitchy and promotes more of a “own yourself and your work” type of energy. And that is no affectation. 

And thus she has the deliberate scrutiny and love from a whole new generation of diva lovers. Young and old, but united by an empowerment of what it means to live in your truth. And perhaps that is just what gay men need right now; in a moment where anti gay sentiment is up across the world. And that does not just mean Uganda and Russia, but look at Tennessee and Florida’s anti gay bills. If Taylor Swift has your back, it does make it feel less daunting. Even I feel this way, and strongly. And she keeps mentioning this throughout her Eras Tour – that the gay community is at risk and thus everyone needs to vote to protect their rights.

But back to what else she’s making the gays do. 

Gay men paid more attention to football this last season than ever before – even though I don’t have exact data science for this. I know it’s true because I saw shirtless Travis Kelce photos everywhere – and I didn’t know who he was before she started dating him. And she reminded me (and a bunch of other gay men I know) of how fun it is to watch buff men running around a field in very tight clothes, so thanks for that Taylor. Tight ends indeed. And that’s whether I cared about the rules or not. Perhaps she can also fix some of the NFL’s larger issues with misogyny and bigotry. She’s certainly capable. She floated entire countries’ economies as she traveled around the globe touring her latest. 

But whilst she was seen at the Super Bowl, all over the planet watching her guy play sport – she was simultaneously also signaling to the queer community that she was with us. 

And as she said on the song “Mean” –

“I can see you years from now in a bar,

Talking over a football game” 

That is how we feel about Taylor Swift, we feel like she is just ours, accessible in a way. We could maybe just chat to her in a bar, about nothing really, just catching up. She feels in one way, like one of us. Just one of the gays maybe chatting about football, or heartbreak or boys. 

And Swifties certainly noticed all this football jazz hands as Travis Kelce’s NFL jersey was selling like hotcakes and a whole new type of Chiefs x Swiftie merch was born. And perhaps we’re about to start our own league, who knows. Inserting her beliefs and her support in spaces and places that might not always be gay friendly in and out of football stadiums and football gatherings. I mean, that is the ultimate diva behavior – powerful, hardcore moves with intention and without apology. 

And it’s not new for our diva. For the longest time Taylor Swift has been a queer ally. Whether she’s donating to GLAAD, or has lyrics in support of queerness (like “You Need to Calm Down”) so she actively carved out a space for her queer fans at her shows. She has told young and old gay men, across the planet (as she tours) to come out, to shake it off, and to feel like yes you can just be yourself. The haters will hate, and shade never made anyone less gay. Amen. And she’s there for the whole community (all the letters) as a point of strength and a beacon of hope. 

And that empowers gay men, no matter how you slice it. So I know that Taylor Swift is busy – touring, dating, owning her empire. 

Speaking of Super Bowl, but they gay man’s Super Bowl. I would like her to pause and call RuPaul as Taylor Swift needs to be on the newest episode of Drag Race. RuPaul’s Drag Race next season starts in January, so she can do a surprise appearance, or if she’s in London she can drop in at their finale for RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. I am not fussy, she can pick either. We, the gays, are waiting. 

So absolutely fine, we’ll stick with you; you’re our queen.