The Controversial Allegations Surrounding Taylor Swift's Sexuality

In a recent New York Times opinion piece, there's a stir of controversy as it openly speculates whether Taylor Swift is harboring a hidden identity within the queer community. This revelation has not only raised eyebrows but also drawn the ire of the pop superstar's close associates, as CNN has learned.

Speaking under the condition of anonymity, a source close to Swift shared with CNN, "Due to her immense success, there seems to be a Taylor-shaped hole in people's ethics at the moment. This article wouldn't have seen the light of day if it were about Shawn Mendes or any male artist facing similar speculation about their sexuality."

The individual continued, criticizing the media's approach to Taylor Swift, stating, "Some journalists seem to have no boundaries when writing about Taylor, regardless of how invasive, untrue, and inappropriate it is—all under the protective veil of an 'opinion piece.'"

The 5,000-word article, crafted by editor Anna Marks for The Times' opinion section, delves into a myriad of LGBTQ references, both overt and perceived, that Swift has woven into her songs and performances. Marks suggests that Swift may have been subtly signaling her identification with the queer community for years.

"In isolation, a single dropped hairpin may be meaningless or accidental, but considered together, they're the unfurling of a ballerina bun after a long performance," Marks wrote. "These dropped hairpins began to appear in Ms. Swift's artistry long before queer identity was marketable to mainstream America. They suggest to queer people that she is one of us."

Despite Swift's past support for the LGBTQ community and her stance against anti-gay legislation, the pop icon has repeatedly denied being a member of the LGBTQ community. In a 2019 Vogue interview, Swift clarified, "I didn't realize until recently that I could advocate for a community that I'm not a part of."

Addressing societal speculation about her relationships in the prologue to her re-recorded "1989" album, Swift explained her choice to surround herself with female friends. "If I only hung out with my female friends, people couldn't sensationalize or sexualize that—right? I would learn later on that people could and people would," she wrote.

The publication of an article speculating on a person's sexuality by a reputable news organization like The Times is highly unusual. Such pieces are generally considered inappropriate, and The Times faced criticism from readers for its decision to publish the piece on Swift.

Marks, anticipating criticism, addressed the questionable assertions in the article, writing, "I know that discussing the potential of a star's queerness before a formal declaration of identity feels, to some, too salacious and gossip-fueled to be worthy of discussion."

"I share many of these reservations," Marks continued. "But the stories that dominate our collective imagination shape what our culture permits artists and their audiences to say and be. Recognizing the possibility of queerness—while being conscious of the difference between possibility and certainty—keeps that signal alive."

The Times declined to comment directly on the criticism from Swift's associates and pointed to Marks' statements in the published essay about the matter.