Hollywood—and much of the world—still has a problem shining the light of visibility on the broad spectrum of sexualities that exist. But active, positive identifications like Aaron Carter’s recent tweet can help change that.
Carter, who is 29 and the younger brother of Backstreet Boy Nick Carter, enjoyed tween-oriented musical success in the ’90s. Now a grown man and coming off of a difficult summer—an arrest for possible intoxication and hospitalization for exhaustion—Carter appears keen to be truthful to himself and to his fans. In a note that he wrote and posted to Twitter, he said:
— Aaron Carter (@aaroncarter) August 6, 2017
“To start off, I would like to say that I love each and EVERY ONE of my fans,” Carter began. “There’s something I’d like to say that I feel is important for myself and my identity that has been weighing on my chest for nearly half of my life. This doesn’t bring me shame, just a weight and burden I have held onto for a long time that I would like lifted off me. I grew up in this entertainment industry at a very young age and when I was around 13-years-old I started to find boys and girls attractive. There were years that went by that I thought about, but it wasn’t until I was 17-years-old, after a few relationships with girls, I had an experience with a male that I had an attraction to who I also worked with and grew up with. To me music has always been my temple. Music will ALWAYS be what transcends us and myself. The studio has always been my safe haven. But the ultimate goal for me is to be satisfied. I never want to be a figure of disappointment. The best quote to sum ‘I’ve never felt as though I didn’t belong, I just acted as though I did.’ —Boy George.”
Media coverage of Carter’s statement has been positive, and the Internet’s reaction was enthusiastic and encouraging.
YES SIS LIVE THAT AUTHENTICITY ️
— Matt Gehring (@mattryanx) August 6, 2017
I’m proud of you! Nothing but love for you❤️ always
— Hannah Dial (@Hannahdial8) August 6, 2017
live your truth bb!
— Frank Costa (@feistyfrank) August 6, 2017
I’ve been your fan since you were seven. This doesn’t change that.
— Ryo Spark (@RyoSpark) August 6, 2017
I don’t think any of us want you to be anything but happy and healthy and live your truth and move forward. Be strong, brother. Amen. ✌️
— John Norris (@Jonnynono) August 6, 2017
Aaron, oh Aaron. You courageous, sweet boy. Another great quote, “To thine own self be true.” I think we all love you for you. ❤️
— Alex (@alex_c_m_73) August 6, 2017
Reading through the overwhelmingly heartfelt and excited responses to Carter’s tweet is the surest sign that while progress can feel glacially slow, the world is changing for the better in this regard. Recognition and acceptance of a wide range of sexuality is on the march—after all, millennials are the queerest generation yet.
While we may still be in a time where such an announcement makes the news (I hope one day it will simply be taken as a given that not everyone is default heterosexual until they announce otherwise), Carter’s statement is wonderfully matter-of-fact. He is clear that there is no shame in the identification for him, simply the weight of never having publically shared this essential truth. His acknowledgment of those truths and the cheerful reception that it evoked on the Internet means a lot to many in similar situations. Let’s keep shining that visibility light.
I am happy you decided to share this with all of us. Live your truth!
— Randy Haas (@Randy_Haas) August 6, 2017
Love is love. No matter which form it takes. Much respect for you. ❤️
— tehani kurchenka (@tehanikurchenka) August 6, 2017
Welcome to the coolest club in the world! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/287ma9F0WK
— Dylan (8Bit) (@EightBitDylan) August 6, 2017
(via People, image: Shutterstock)
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