My Thoughts on Louis' Tweets (just because I want to put them out there)
what upsets me the most about this whole ordeal is that the Independent article -while it did not imply Louis' sexuality- had a lot of really great things to say. Bringing up Tim Cook and his coming out and suggesting that a member of a younger audience supports his decision is important no mater what. Whether it be Louis or another musician, showing support for people coming out with the platform they have is a big deal. There are countless kids of all ages that will see Louis with this shirt on and think that "if Louis is accepting of Tim Cook, then others will be accepting of me."
The second important point made in the article is about the Rainbow Direction movement, which pledges "their support to the band, and any fans who may be struggling with their own sexuality." Again, this picture and Louis' fame is used as a platform to get the story of Rainbow Direction, and all of the other great social media groups, out there to the public. Imagine being one of those fans and seeing this article...you would be optimistic that your idol and all of the people who share your admiration for One Direction provide you with a safe space to be yourself in.
Coming back to the tweets in response, I find these incredibly off putting. Louis has been scrutinized in the past for his "bullshit" tweet in response to Larry Stylinson, which is an all together different situation than this one in my opinion. These tweets are in response to an article that was hinted at during their LiveStream yesterday, where Liam asked Louis if he had seen today's issue and told him that it was good. I can understand that Louis would be upset if the article was accusing him of being something he's not, but they did not once imply his sexuality. Instead, they commended him for supporting a great thing, and his response is to yell at the girl who wrote it? I personally think that this could have been handled completely different. If you disagree with the article, fine Louis, keep your mouth shut and let it blow over. Pointing out your distaste for the article and angrily ripping it apart just makes you look like a homophobic ass hole (sorry but its true). Those are your fans they are talking about at the end there, who are looking at your for support as they struggle with coming to terms with their own sexuality, and you react as though being gay is an insult? When that wasn't even what the article was about? How do you think that makes them feel?
I think he could take a leaf out of Harry's book here, whether or not you are gay, bi, transsexual, pan-sexual what have you, there is no reason that you can't support those people anyways. If he left this as it was it would have remained an article commending Louis for supporting a great thing, for being largely progressive in today's society. Harry's comment may have been a joke, and you know what? He could have owned up to it and told everyone that it was just that, a joke, but he didn't. This is why Harry is seen as such an avid supporter of the LGBTQ community, and he clearly loves that people view him as such (because its a GREAT THING). Louis had the opportunity and forum to do that as well and chose to hide behind his computer, (whether it was actually him or management like many believe) and that isn't a message to be sending to your fans either.
All and all, this whole thing has hurt me, and I hope that something somewhat positive can come of it. We all love you, Louis, but today I'm disappointed