October 11th is National Coming Out Day. While others come out proud and loud as LGBT, some straight people only pretend to come out.

Last year, Tyler Posey, "Teen Wolf" actor, came out via Snapchat and received praise for his bravery. Soon after, he admitted the his “coming out” was a prank for his fans. Joe Sugg made the thumbnail to a video, which was titled “My Big Announcement!”, a photoshopped picture of him kissing Caspar Lee. Joe then mocked the fans who made the photoshopped pictures. Joe Sugg is a straight man. Britney Spears and Madonna had their famous kiss in 2003, but never dated each other.

These examples are known as “gay baiting” which is a common thing for male celebrities to use in order to gain attention. It is mostly common with young, male heartthrobs. None of these men actually date one another, they just tease the fans with “hand holding” and “faking kisses.” Also, famous women will do the same thing for attention from the media. Usually, it involved being sexual with another female; although, both are straight women. Actual LGBT people call these people “fauxsexual.” Jessie J infamously “un-came out” as bisexual in 2014, and is “now” straight. People were angry at Jessie J for calling bisexuality a “phase.”

The issue with gay baiting is how straight people are turning it into a career move in order to gain more attention, but not address the LGBT issues. James Franco is a major example of this: "Milk" (2008), "Howl" (2010), "The Broken Tower" (2011), "Sal" (2011), and "Interior. Leather Bar." (2013). These Franco movies all involve gay themes, but never actually addresses major LGBT issues.

James Franco posing in drag for a Terry Richardson photoshoot.

Females in the modelling world also stir up gay rumors for an art form. Kendall Jenner and Cara Delevingne were on the cover of LOVE magazine in an intimate pose. Thus, the dating rumors began. Most likely, this is what Cara and Kendall wanted; they both gain attention without having to actually be gay. Kendall and model best friend, Gigi Hadid, also famously posed in a way to make it look like they just made out. Gigi and Kendall are both straight females though and have done little LGBT advocacy.

Many boy bands also include gay baiting, but some become offended by gay rumors. Bands like One Direction and 5SOS even have “ship” names of possible relationships between band members. The most famous one is “Larry Stylinson,” which involves Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles of One Direction. Louis and Harry would constantly do things a person may label as “gay.” But, as soon as gay rumors started, they would angrily deny the rumors and mock fans who believed in Larry. One Direction would trick fans into thinking they were gay, then be offended by the gay rumors.

"Rizzoli & Isles," "Sherlock," "Once Upon A Time," and "Supernatural" are TV shows that use gay teasing without actually having the characters date in order to gain attention and views from the LGBT community.

These gay baiting incidences are bad because it mocks the LGBT community. Being gay is not an art form. It should not be used for attention and TV views. Also, you can not “act gay” and be angry at people thinking you are gay. That is very homophobic and hypocritical. Gay baiting is also a danger for the LGBT community. Many LGBT people have to pretend to be straight in order to fit in with society. When a straight person acts gay of attention, it mocks those struggling to come out.

During the Rio Olympics, Nico Hines released an article on the Daily Beast that outed male athletes. Hines, who is straight and married, made a fake Grindr account and posed as gay and single. He went after gay, male Olympians who have not come out yet. Some of the Olympians were from countries where it is illegal to be gay. Some were even from countries where they could be killed for homosexuality.

The title of Nico Hines’s original article, which has since been deleted.

ISIS terrorist have even used gay baiting to kill homosexuals. ISIS terrorist pose as gay men, and take actual homosexuals on dates. While on the date, the ISIS terrorist kills the men. One man in Syria was pushed out of a window, falling to his death, while on his fake date. Others are kidnapped and held for ransom.

Two men pretend to be gay in order to gain Matthew Shepard’s trust. Shepard was a 21 year old gay college student who suffered from depression and suicidal ideas. In October of 1998, he was offered a ride home by two “gay” men. Soon, Shepard was killed by the two homophobes. This story was labeled as the cruelest anti-gay murder in USA history.

From attention and fame to terrorism and murder, gay baiting is wrong. Celebrities who use gay baiting can accidentally teach people homophobia. Being gay is not “cool.” Being gay is caused by a gene in the human body. Please stop using homosexuality as an art form or to gain more popularity. It can also give homosexual children hope that a famous star can be successful and gay, only to find out that their role model lied about their sexuality for attention. This can make LGBT people feel ashamed, alone, and depressed about their own sexuality.

To help victims like Matthew Shepard, click here.

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