The Weeknd’s lyrics were homophobic – who cares if it's ‘sensitive’ to point that out?

Perhaps it’s time we reclaimed sensitivity as a superpower, rather than something to be ashamed of

The Weeknd deserves to be called out for lyrics which seem to reference corrective rape (Rex)

In the last few days, R&B artist The Weeknd has been criticised on social media for his lyrics in a new track released with French DJ Gesaffelstein called “Lost in the Fire”. In the song, the artist refers to a woman’s same-sex attraction as “a phase” and promises to “f**k you straight”.

When queer musician Marika Hackman called this out on Twitter, writing, “Well done to @theweeknd for managing to deride, fetishise and dismiss lesbianism all in one verse”, many commentators, whose own “sensitivity” to this very valid criticism was clearly lost on them, attacked Hackman for being – you guessed it – “oversensitive”. Scrolling through the comments revealed the predictable abuse any woman on social media has come to expect, but the volume of comments dismissing her as being “too sensitive” or of “reaching” were telling.

It’s worth noting that “f**king someone straight” – or corrective rape, as it’s known in a legal capacity – is an established technique used to terrorise LGBTQ+ people around the world. It’s often committed by multiple perpetrators, with the support of family members, in a brutal attempt to “punish” LGBTQ+ people for failing to conform to traditional gender roles.

While the practice is well documented in South Africa, it continues to occur around the world. Just last year, a 29-year-old man from Alabama in the US was found guilty of arranging the “corrective rape” of his 11-year-old autistic son because he thought he was gay.

Many LGBTQ+ people taking tentative steps in exploring their sexuality or gender identity are painfully familiar with the dismissive remark that such behaviour is “just a phase”. While The Weeknd might not be renowned for his progressive wordplay in matters of sexual politics, it’s understandable that these words might sting and prompt censure. While progress continues for many lesbian and gay people in western culture (bisexual and transgender people, in particular, still face specific and persistent challenges), this certainly isn’t the case for everyone.

The statistics in relation to LGBTQ+ people speak for themselves and bear repeating. In the UK, around 24 per cent of young homeless people identify as LGBTQ+, many of whom have been rejected by their families because of who they are. LGBTQ+ people are significantly more likely to experience poor mental health than their heterosexual counterparts. Research suggests that LGBTQ+ people are two to three times more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol. Violence and discrimination still exist, on the micro and macro levels, and this is magnified for those with multiple identities, such as those with disabilities and people of colour. There’s still a long way to go.

Misogyny and homophobia in song lyrics is nothing new. While I don’t believe that enjoying music with offensive lyrics is in itself a problem, it’s certainly worthy of discussion. Readers interested in exploring this uneasy tension further would do well to consult Rhian E Jones and Eli Davies’s Under My Thumb: Songs That Hate Women and the Women Who Love Them, a thought-provoking collection of essays addressing this very theme.

There needs to be space for these conversations and critiques to occur without people being shut down and instantly dismissed as simply being “sensitive”. This label is not only unhelpful, but limited, and lacks the nuance required for meaningful conversations to take place.

Anyone questioning the norms of our culture – be it heterosexuality or patriarchy – is invariably subject to criticism, but such voices are absolutely vital for humanity to make progress. Throughout history, we have evolved because people have been offended – and thank goodness. People’s fury at the injustice of slavery, or indignation that women were denied the right to vote, has changed the world. Dissent is a good thing.

Bowling through the world without thought or consideration for the challenges facing other people is not something we, as a society, should be encouraging. Education and conversation are both vital components of our evolution. Listening to criticism about how our words or actions might harm someone is never easy, but it’s essential for growth.

So next time you’re tempted to roll your eyes when someone has the courage to speak out about their concerns, try listening and take the opportunity learn from their insights. Their perception and “sensitivity” might just be the superpower our world needs.