Lil Nas X’s dance with the devil has the queer community applauding
Juliette Capomolla

BY GABRIELLA HOLLO

The recent release of Lil Nas X’s new music video Montero (Call Me By Your Name) has been applauded, particularly by the queer community. 

The provocative music video, which shows Lil Nas X in mythical and historic scenes, sparked an outburst of both supportive and discouraging commentary on social media.

The music video has already been watched123 million times on YouTube, with many celebrating Lil Nas X’s expression of queerness and individuality. 

Singer Ingrid Muller likes that Lil Nas X’s music video promotes a sense of belonging. PHOTO: Supplied

Singer Ingrid Muller, 20, thinks Lil Nas X’s music video is a positive step forward for the queer community.

“It’s making light of taking the fear and the sense of danger of being who you are,” she said.

“Lil Nas X’s video takes the taboo out of self-expression and things that are out of the norm, which I think is really important,” Ms Muller said. 

“Religion doesn’t have to have as big of an impact on the queer community as it does.” 

Writer and director Ap Pobjoy thinks the backlash from the Lil Nas X music video is only because of its queer subject. 

Ap Pobjoy believes the Lil Nas X video is solely positive, and doesn’t agree with the criticism it has received. PHOTO: Supplied

“I know a lot of people think it’s completely oversexualised, but any queer person owning their sexuality in a public way is gonna get backlash,” Mx Pobjoy said. 

“The only backlash has come from heteronormative spaces who just see it as profanity, which is ridiculous,” they said. 

Pretty Farmces band member Noah Dalton appreciates that Lil Nas X has provided a beneficial message for the queer community. 

Noah Dalton believes the music video which features depictions of the devil is quite exciting and positive for the queer community. PHOTO: Supplied

“There has always been a fear of homosexual tendencies being related to the devil, [so] playing off that is quite exciting,” Mr Dalton said. 

“The music video is definitely positive exposure for the community,” he said. 

Lil Nas X has responded to critics of the Montero video by asserting his creative decisions and sharing his point of view. 

The controversy surrounding the song and music video resulted in it being banned from streaming services such as Youtube, Apple Music and Spotify.

The backlash which followed the removal of the song resulted in the song being made available on these platforms again.