Lil Nas X Embraces His Role As Queer Hero

I’ve watched Lil Nas X seduce and murder Satan probably a dozen times now. And I’m not done. In fact, I may never be done.

• The video for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” directed by Tanu Muino and Lil Nas X

I remember when people would tell me they were fine with me being gay if I wasn’t too over-the-top. If I was still “one of the guys,” it was OK. Shows such as Modern Family and Will & Grace taught straight people that queer folks are just like everyone else. But Lil Nas X and his video have no time for that assimilationist bullshit.

So much of the queer experience is about responding to attacks on our very existence, so seeing Lil Nas X push the boundaries of queer acceptance so far, while also refusing to seriously engage with the bigoted backlash, is breathtaking and lifesaving. And his expert-level trolling of conservatives only adds to my admiration.