Slate Daily Feed ICYMI | The Gaylor Fandom Is Going Through It
Sep 6, 2025
Kat Tenbarge, a writer for Spitfire News specializing in internet culture, joins the conversation to defend the Gaylor fandom—fans who believe Taylor Swift is secretly queer—after recent backlash due to her engagement. The discussion dives into the complexities of fan dynamics, the impact of Swift's lyrics on LGBTQ+ theories, and the emotional rollercoaster fans experience during significant announcements. Tenbarge highlights the historical context of fandoms and the unique relationship between Swift and her devoted LGBTQ+ supporters.
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Meet-And-Greet Photo Became Gaylor Lore
- Candice Lim described meeting Taylor Swift during Reputation-era meet-and-greet and recreating an engagement meme photo with a female coworker.
- That photo unexpectedly fueled Gaylor rumors, so Candice deleted it to avoid involvement.
Gayler Is A Spectrum, Not A Single Theory
- Kat Tenbarge explained 'Gayler' spans from casual speculation to organized subreddit communities who theorize Taylor is closeted.
- Many Gaylers interpret relationships with men as 'beards' and run deep online discussions.
Some Viral Reactions May Be Setups
- Kat noted many viral 'Gaylor meltdown' posts were likely faked to be screenshotted and mocked outside the subreddit.
- New Reddit accounts and inside knowledge suggested some crash-out examples were manufactured.
