The trans Hayley Williams discourse, explained

Hayley Williams, lead singer of Paramore, has reminded us time and time again that she’s straight. Just a few weeks ago, she wished the crowd at Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour a happy Pride, singing, “I love all my gays. I wish I was one of you!” Last summer, she said she was “tragically a straight woman” while reacting to her past hairstyles. It all adds up to a straight woman who adores her queer fanbase — but after a few recent fashion choices, some folks are starting to reconsider.

While opening at the Eras Tour, Williams rocked two looks that raised fans’ eyebrows: first, a pin with the words “QUEER BOY” on it.

queer boy pin pic.twitter.com/p0k9hmxswX

— monstera☭ 🐾 (@lphafemale) July 10, 2024

And second, a crop top with the trans flag across the chest.

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MISS HAYLEY WILLIAMS SAID TRANS RIGHTS TONIGHT pic.twitter.com/tyQh22Qcf9

— sasha ☀️ (@nickssamere) July 9, 2024

What do these fashion choices mean? Williams has always been an outspoken ally to queer folks, so her wearing queer symbols could simply be a sign of her support for LGBTQ+ rights. But some folks took their speculation one step further, suggesting that the looks are her way of gearing up to come out of the closet as trans or genderqueer.

either she's coming out or on entering a chaser arc and im so here for it https://t.co/lnoMTE97wp

— Jaclyn 🏳️‍⚧️🎹 (@jackiedotnet) July 10, 2024

I can't tell if the most exciting person to ever come out as trans is actually about to come out as trans or if I'm just on very specific corners of the internet

— Drew Burnett Gregory (@draw_gregory) July 10, 2024

this is fucking hilarious pic.twitter.com/2aN2Mv4gCb

— jen’s alt (@YELYAHRIOTT) July 10, 2024

But longtime Paramore fans stepped in to point out why speculating on someone’s gender identity is never the move. 

“How many times does she have to state she’s straight and uses she/her pronouns? You’re not being inclusive, you’re just being weird. She’s an ally,” one user wrote. “Until stated otherwise, we should not assume. Doing the opposite and forcing her into being something she’s not or she’s not ready to share is not nice. Just let her be without being weird.”

the hayley discourse is getting so old… like how many times does she have to state she's straight and uses she/her pronouns? you're not being inclusive, you're just being weird. she's an ally.

— marti (@blackeyedmarti) July 10, 2024

I'll add. until stated otherwise, we should not assume. doing the opposite and forcing her into being something she's not or she's not ready to share is not nice. just let her be without being weird.

— marti (@blackeyedmarti) July 10, 2024

Wait okay so what I’ve gathered is people are trying to say that Hayley is trans/queer bc she wore LGBTQIA+ pins/looks/shirts, and has SHORT HAIR(???) when she’s been literally doing that for years because she … supports the community?? An ally, perhaps?? What’s going on

— Jayde Tayla 🥀 (@subwaypige0n) July 10, 2024

hayley williams has fought with a misogynistic industry and tried to conform for years. she finally feels comfortable to wear what she pleases and it suddenly turns to speculation on her gender identity. whole discourses from a fandom whom most didn’t know anything about her

— belén (@tameimpalamusic) July 11, 2024

for the love of GOD stop saying everyone who shows their appreciation for the community is queer. hayley has said multiple times that she's a straight woman who loves her gay/trans fans. i always see ppl complain we don't have allies like lady gaga anymore but look what y'all do. https://t.co/KpsQz1s5dm

— apollo (@pmoreforarmor) July 11, 2024

I think the thing thats pissing me off most about the ‘Theyley Williams’ drama is that she spent so long downplaying her femininity & trying to be “one of the guys”, she’s finally in a safe space with Paramore where she can express herself through fashion and it gets twisted.

— lise (@liselovesdogs) July 10, 2024

All that’s not to say that if Williams were queer, it wouldn’t be welcomed by her fans. But with topics as personal as sexuality and gender identity, everyone has the right to come out in their own time and on their own terms. Speculation does a lot more harm than good, so for now, we should take Williams’ outfits for exactly what they were: fabulous fashion statements.

Last thing (hopefully) I’m gonna say about this. If Hayley ever were to come out as anything other than cis/het, of course we would all support! But to be pushing whatever the hell THIS is when H has always been a advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, as anything more than that, is weird

— Jayde Tayla 🥀 (@subwaypige0n) July 11, 2024

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