Kristen Stewart Called Herself ‘So Gay’ On ‘SNL.’ Here’s Why It Matters

Last night’s episode of “Saturday Night Live” was must-see TV for variety of reasons: The Grim Reaper was abroach to play Steve Bannon, asterid dicot genus McCarthy showed up and delivered a blistering, pitch-perfect portrayal of White House press secretary Sean Spicer, and host Kristen Stewart aforementioned the F-word on live TV throughout her monologue.

But there was another equally outstanding, tho' true quieter, moment within the initial 5 minutes of the show that you just may need missed: Stewart, for the primary time ever, publically used the word “gay” in relevance herself (see the on top of video at the 2:26 mark).

Stewart’s sexual identity has been the topic of rumors for years. It’s troublesome to avoid speculation concerning your non-public life once you’re not simply noted however conjointly simple fraction of 1 of the foremost noted couples within the world, as Stewart was once she dated “Twilight” co-star Henry M. Robert Pattinson for many years. however even then relationship complete, Stewart was still unyielding by the press because of her involvement with variety of queer ladies within the show biz, as well as Alicia Cargile, singer Annie Clark, United Nations agency is best referred to as St. Vincent, and therefore the lady she’s presently chemical analysis, model painter Maxwell. 

To her credit, Stewart wasn’t specifically uncommunicative concerning her relationships. in a very 2016 interview with Elle UK, the histrion used the word “girlfriend” to talk over with Cargile, her partner at the time. She conjointly aforementioned that “dating a girl” forced her to be a lot of open concerning her relationships than she was once she was chemical analysis a bloke. “To hide this provides the implication that I’m not down with it or I’m shamefaced of it, thus I had to change however I approached being publicly,” she said, adding, “It opened my life up and I’m most happier.”

But for all of her candor, Stewart had ne'er used the word “gay” ― or the other label ― to spot herself till last night. And really, that’s fine. In fact, it’s a great deal on trend with however different adolescents have faith in their sex. A twenty16 survey found that thirty five % of millennials determine as one thing apart from solely heterosexual (and a walloping fifty two % of people between the ages of thirteen and 20 reported the same) however didn’t essentially use a term like “gay” or “bisexual” or “lesbian” in relevance themselves.

Many people notice these labels to be less necessary than they once were. As queer individuals become a lot of and a lot of integrated into thought society, because of dynamic cultural norms triggered by things like wedding equality and better visibility within the media, several feel less of a necessity to spot as anyone factor ― or to speak concerning it in any reasonably public method, sort of a splashy tell-all interview. however labels will still be massively helpful, not just for people to orient themselves among a community, however conjointly as how to still increase that aforesaid visibility and push the LGBTQ movement forward, particularly in times of political and cultural uncertainty, like now.

When one in all the most important motion-picture show stars of the last ten years refers to herself as “so gay” on one in all the most-watched late-night tv shows on the air, it forces individuals to reconfigure however they have faith in what it suggests that to be “gay” and United Nations agency and what that term includes. Suddenly, anyone United Nations agency solely knew Stewart as “that lady from ‘Twilight’” and “Robert Pattinson’s ex girlfriend,” is confronted by her sex in a very new and surprising method, and it upends assumptions concerning the community, that is precisely why commencing continues to be thus crucial.

It ought to be noted that Stewart’s “so gay” comment was created in relevance ridiculous tweets President Donald Trump once sent concerning her relationship with Pattinson: 

And, yes, the phrase was delivered with over a touch of humour and an exact degree of exasperation, that looked as if it would be leveled at Trump however conjointly perhaps at the world’s obsession together with her sex. And that’s truthful. It can’t be fun having your each move photographed and cleft. however in associate degree era once LGBTQ rights area unit presently in danger in new and scary ways in which, public acts of commonness with the community, as well as commencing, area unit a lot of vital than ever.

It ought to even be noted that Stewart’s “so gay” comment doesn’t essentially mean that she virtually identifies as gay. She did date Pattinson, somebody United Nations agency, as way as we all know, identifies as male, which can mean she identifies as bisexual or person or sexually fluid or in another method than “gay,” that is historically thought of as being sexually drawn to somebody of identical gender. maybe she selected that phrase as a result of it packed the foremost punch and would be the foremost instantly recognizable to those observation the show ― and since it’s in all probability the term the general public have used behind her back ever since she started chemical analysis ladies. however she conjointly might have determined at now in her life that it’s the term that feels the foremost acceptable. we tend to simply don’t recognize.

Regardless, I had to catch my breath once I detected her say it last night. I’m pleased with Stewart for standing up and connection the community in a very method she hadn’t before, particularly at a time once our community is symptom and afraid. commencing doesn’t happen only once and it’s seldom straightforward. as a result of sex continues to be the assumed default orientation in our society, when a queer person meets somebody new, there’s the prospect they’ll be needed to clarify United Nations agency they really area unit, and in this moment exists the unconventional chance to challenge and alter minds. Last night i think Stewart in all probability did each, and that i assume we’re all to a small degree bit happier attributable to it.