Joshua Bassett has revealed that he was a target of homophobia after speaking openly about his sexuality and we’re tired of this backwards narrative.
WATCH: Joshua Bassett gushes over Harry Styles
In May, Joshua, 20, shared a raw statement regarding his sexuality. While it was a bit ambiguous, it was clear the High School Musical: The Musical: The Series actor was fine not putting any labels on himself.
Now, the musician has spoken to the UK’s Attitude Magazine about the backlash he has faced since being so open about his identity.
Revealing he was “subjected to a lot of homophobia”, Joshua said that he “seem(s) ‘straight’ to everyone (he) meets” and that the slander made him realise how much further we have to go when it comes to the acceptance of the LGBTQI+ community.
The Feel Something singer, however, has remained positive despite the trolling.
“People can hate me forever and say the nastiest thing possible, but it will not change a thing, because you need to stand tall and face those people as an advocate for all the people without a voice,” he told the publication.
The first time Joshua spoke openly about his sexuality was in May when he professed his love for Harry Styles (same) in an interview with Clevver. Joshua has been a resident fanboy of the Watermelon Sugar singer for quite some time now, and after a fan asked him what it is he admires so much about the star, the 20-year-old near whipped out a PowerPoint presentation as he explained his love for the musician.
“He’s a very classy man, he’s also very well-rounded, he kind of does it all – acting, singing, fashion.” the Disney actor said. “I think he’s just a nice guy who doesn’t say too much but when he talks it matters, if that makes sense.”
Joshua continued: “He’s just cool, who doesn’t think Harry Styles is cool? Also he’s hot. He’s very charming too. Lot’s of things. This is also my coming out video, I guess.”
Since the video was released, fans were confused as to whether or not he was joking. Joshua told Attitude that while at first he wasn’t going to address the video, it eventually gained so much momentum that he felt he needed to seize the opportunity to get something off his chest.
Later that month, Joshua headed to his Instagram to share a video of himself singing a snippet of his song, Ending the Cycle. To caption the footage, Joshua penned a moving statement about love and acceptance.
“my entire life people have told me my sexuality. people have shamed me for things they know nothing about. I want to say thank you to those of you who stand for love and acceptance.” the 20-year-old wrote.
“toxicity, hatred, and negativity say less about the subject, but say far more about those who spew it. it’s 2021. we are the generation of love & growth, it’s time we start acting like it. whether you love me, hate me, or damn me to hell, i love you all the same.”
The musician ended the post with a message to his followers who may still be figuring their sexuality out: “love who you love shamelessly. it’s ok to still be figuring out who you are. life’s too short to let ignorance and hatred win. i choose love. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜”
Joshua has been at the centre of some controversy regarding his High School Musical: The Musical: The Series co-star Olivia Rodrigo and fellow Disney actor Sabrina Carpenter.
Joshua and Olivia were a rumoured couple around the time they were filming for the Disney+ show. The pair, however, reportedly split and Joshua was soon after spotted hanging around with fellow actor and musician Sabrina Carpenter.
After Olivia released this really niche and underground song that you have probably never heard of called Driver’s License, in which she sang the line “you’re probably with that blonde girl, who always made me doubt,” fans were quick to point the finger at blonde-haired Sabrina.
Since Driver’s License flew to the top of the charts, not to mention consumed our TikTok for you pages, there’s been a series of songs released from all three parties which have sent fans into Sherlock-level detection mode to decipher how each lyric relates to each star.
But we guess the only people who will truly know the real story are Joshua, Olivia and Sabrina.
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