Betty Who Apologizes for Harmful Lesbian Comments
Summary of the Betty Who, Reneé Rapp, and King Princess Controversy
This article details a controversy sparked by comments made by singer Betty Who on a podcast regarding sexuality, specifically relating to lesbian identity and the possibility of attraction to men. Here’s a breakdown:
The Initial Comments: Betty Who discussed the idea of a “alphabet mafia” – categorizing people by their sexual/gender identities – and referenced Reneé Rapp’s statement about not dating men.Betty Who then added that she would be okay with Rapp changing her mind and dating a man in the future.
The Criticism: These comments were criticized by members of the queer community for perpetuating the harmful stereotype that lesbianism is a “phase” and that lesbians can be “turned” by the right man.
King Princess’s Response: Musician King Princess responded with a pointed TikTok video criticizing the focus on heterosexual relationships within the queer community, especially given the current political climate and threats to LGBTQ+ rights. While not naming Betty Who, the video clearly addressed the podcast discussion.
Betty Who’s Apology: Betty Who responded with an apology on Instagram, acknowledging that their language was poorly chosen and unintentionally reinforced harmful ideas. They explained they were speaking from their own experience as someone identifying as non-binary and bisexual, and hadn’t fully considered the nuance of others’ experiences.
In essence, the controversy centers around the idea of validating and respecting the fluidity of sexuality while avoiding harmful tropes about lesbian identity and the pressure to conform to heteronormative expectations.
