What on earth could it be, I thought?
Some light bondage, perhaps?
A few barely concealed drug references?
Derek White/Getty Images
Someone simulating a blow job?
An updated homage to the Christina Aguilera Dirrty video, for the Grindr era?
Judging by the online reaction, it was obviously fairly shocking.
It seems there is a right and a wrong way to be queer and visible, argues Daisy Jones.
First there was Smith, in a luscious pink dress and gloves, about to exit a golden helicopter.
Then there they were again, in a towering ostrich feather hat, performing on a mansion staircase.
Then there they were again, in a sparkling 1930s corset and nipple tassels.
So far, so campy and fashion.
But where were the shocking elements?
Its definitely cheekya brief, winking insinuation of a golden shower.
But hardly extreme hard-core pornography, as described by one journalist onGood Morning Britain.
Theyre outraged because itsovertlyqueerand sexualized.
People dont know what to do with their discomfortso they decide that the video itself must be the problem.
Theyre offended, they think, so the video must beoffensive.
Clearly Smith isnt the first artist to have ever caused outrage with a music video.
But Madonna was dancing in front of blazing crucifixes.
And that was…33 years ago.
Its not a stretch to say that beneath so much of this But what about the kids?
concern lies the thinly veiled presence of queerphobia.
We see it all the time.
Again, they felt offended, so they decided that the event must be offensive.
It seems there is a right and a wrong way to be queer and visible, argues Daisy Jones.
To do so loudly or sexually would be a crime.
Many have also rightly pointed out the fatphobia at play here.
In the mainstream, it seems, there is a right and wrong way to be queer and visible.
Is queerness acceptable only when the person is slim or less femme or less loud about it?
Its bold, bright, and audacious.
Its stylish and campy, with a heavy dose of ridiculousness.
Its rare to see a femme nonbinary person take center stage in the public realm like this.
And its encouraging to see queer sexuality that isnt couched in shame or hushed insinuations or tales of misery.
And if you dont like it?
You dont have to watch it.
Nobody is taking your eyes and forcing them onto YouTube.
Go outside or something.
This article first appeared onBritishVogue.
