Lil Nas X is “insecure” about his sexuality after being “conditioned” to “hate” himself for being gay.
The 22-year-old rapper – who is openly gay – admitted he is trying to “unlearn” attitudes he had when he was growing up and though he’s taking steps forward, he still has a “long way to go”.
Nas made the admission while responding to a homophobic backlash he received following his performance at the BET Awards on Sunday, in which he ended his “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” by passionately kissing his male back-up dancer.
One critic tweeted: “You’re so insecure about your sexuality you’re over compensating for it every chance you get. Gay people who know themselves don’t constantly have to remind everyone that they are gay.”
Nas responded: “You’re right i am insecure about my sexuality. i still have a long way to go. i’ve never denied that.
“When you’re conditioned by society to hate yourself your entire life it takes a lot of unlearning.
“Which is exactly why i do what i do.(sic)”
But Nas insisted people shouldn’t have been shocked by his performance because of the themes of the song.
He wrote: “We are 4 months in and people are still acting surprised that i am being gay and sexual in performances of a song about gay and sexual s***. Like the song is literally about gay sex what y’all want me to do play the piano while baking a cake?(sic)”
The “Sun Goes Down” singer admitted he was filled with nerves about the performance as he thanked those who had offered support.
He tweeted: “It took me a lot of time to mentally prepare for this performance.
“While on stage i was trembling knowing that i was performing something like that in front of my straight peers. even during the performance i was having a hard time calming my nerves. thank you guys for the love.”
Asked why he “forced” himself to perform in the way he did, he added: “If you don’t push yourself outside of your comfort zone you will never grow.”
Nas also told his critics they need to “work” on themselves.
He tweeted: “Y’all hate yourselves so much. Y’all live your lives trying your best to appease straight ppl.
“Y’all are uncomfortable with what i do because y’all are afraid they will be uncomfortable with you.”
“Work on yourselves, i love who i am and whatever i decide to do. get there (sic)”
YESSSSSS! @LilNasX just did that! ?? #BETAwards #CulturesBiggestNight pic.twitter.com/a09CcTp5Xp
— #BETAwards (@BETAwards) June 28, 2021
Main Image: Assets.Billboard
