Shawn mendes is gay

Taking a pause between songs, Mendes shared that he is still exploring his identity and that societal pressures have made it feel scary. "There is a vast difference between audiences raising legitimate concerns about exploitative, LGBTQ-mediated representations and queerbaiting and online trolling …" Melvin Williams, associate professor of communication and media studies at Pace University, previously told USA TODAY.

The same can be said for Mendes.

"I think some of you missed the point of the show. Fans accused the star of "queerbaiting" – when a straight, cisgender person seems to cash in on LGBTQ fashion, music, acting roles and more.

That debacle highlighted what happens when queerbaiting goes awry. bye."

Gay coming-of-age drama "Heartstopper" focuses on a budding romance between doe-eyed high schoolers Nick and Charlie – played by Connor and Joe Locke, respectively – with Nick not sure of his sexuality.

During Monday’s show, Mendes said that it feels scary to open up about his journey because of how people talk about others’ sexuality. For a star who hasn't actually said anything definitive about his sexuality, countless social media posts sure like talking about it with no evidence. Take one spin through social media or Google anti-LGBTQ legislation in the U.S.

and see why.

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Coming out isn’t actually over. "Until that shift happens, we must intentionally choose who we wish to invite into a celebration of our identities."

Shawn Mendes is letting us in.

"The nature of celebrity journalism is to glean as much information as possible about celebrities we arguably know too well," Williams explained. Here’s why.

Speculating about sexuality is intrusive

Kit Connor, star of Netflix's "Heartstopper," came out as bisexual two years ago. I'm bi. “And it always felt like such an intrusion on something very personal to me.”

Representatives for Mendes did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

Mendes made the remarks before performing his unreleased song “The Mountain,” which features lyrics referencing the speculation over his sexuality.

Something that I was figuring out in myself, something that I had yet to discover and still have yet to discover ...

His comments spurred discussion online about how fans discuss artists’ and celebrities’ sexualities. And it feels really scary because we live in a society that has a lot to say about that. People also shouldn't come out if they're not ready.

In it, the pop star is seen sharing his phone screenshots. Sure, anyone is free to discuss what they'd like privately. "Still, celebrities and non-celebrities do not owe the public a confirmation or explanation about their sexual orientations, and disclosures should remain a matter of choice."

Experts say people should never feel obligated to come out, especially when their safety is at risk.

While he identified as straight, rumors have swirled online about his sexuality for years. congrats for forcing an 18 year old to out himself," Connor wrote in a short tweet. The lyrics say, "You can say I'm too young, you can say I'm too old, you can say I like girls or boys, whatever fits your mold." While Mendes has been reluctant to discuss his sexuality, the 2024 concert wasn't his first remarks on the matter.