Teen Wolf Star Tyler Posey Criticized for Snapchat Coming-Out Gay Hoax
24-year-old MTV superstar Tyler Posey, known for acting on the music video channel’s TV show remake of the 1980’s comedy film Teen Wolf, is being deservedly criticized on social media and in the court of public opinion for pretending to come out as a gay man on a short Snapchat video that he posted online.
Recently, Posey posted a video of himself on Snapchat where he exclaimed, “I’m gay!” Posey even focused his camera on the location where he filmed the video, Gay Street in Manhattan, New York City.
The video was meant to be portrayed as a positive confessional where Posey, who is adored by young fans of MTV and who has an online following, came out on social media as a gay man.
A spokesperson for MTV and Teen Wolf, in an interview with Fusion TV, another music video and entertainment channel, lamely excused the incident as Posey being misinterpreted for his choice of words.
The spokesperson claimed that Posey meant to imply that he was happy and in a cheerful mood.
Until the early 20th century in America, the word, “gay,” meant, “happy,” or someone who was in positive spirit.
However, in the current zeitgeist of 21st century global culture, no one thinks of the word, “happy,” if you say the word, “gay.”
Most people would be inclined to come up with more colorful definitions of the word.
Posey apologized a day later on Twitter, but the damage was already done:
"Although I'm not gay, I fully support the LGBTQ community. This was a moment intended to reflect that…And everyone, I am truly sorry to the people I've offended or lessened how big coming out is. I just want to spread love in this world."
Posey is currently undergoing torrents of criticism and ridicule on social media for the insensitive and juvenile prank.
Posey was engaged to be married to longtime friend and girlfriend Seana Gorlick in 2014. The pair canceled their engagement shortly after the initial announcement.
It is unknown whether or not the ill-advised stunt will have more lasting consequences for the young star.
Whether Posey is actually gay isn’t relevant either.
Posey used the LGBT-identity to toy with people, play a prank and get some attention.
He insulted, denigrated and trivialized an entire community in the process.
Whether he meant to do so on purpose or not is questionable.
If he did it unwittingly and without fully understanding the gravity of his actions or how they would be perceived beforehand, even if done without malice, then the actor has brutally betrayed his own ignorance, immaturity and insensitive nature.
What Posey did is display a prime example of the passive denigrating, belittling and humiliation of LGBT people that is casually accepted in society.
Being gay is not a joke.
Pretending to be gay is not a joke.
And there is nothing funny about trying to use the LGBT community as punchline.
What is needed in this life is more understanding and respect for people who identify as LGBT.
