Another celebrity has proudly announced that they are a member of Team Rainbow. Singer-songwriter Khalid has confirmed that he is a gay man after being involuntarily outed. Hugo D. Almonte played a role in this outing, but Khalid has chosen to seize the moment in an empowering way. The musician delivered his out-and-proud message on X (formerly Twitter), and his wording could not have been more powerful.
Khalid addressed the allegations about his sexuality with an abrupt yet affirming statement on his social media accounts:
"I got outted and the world still continues to turn. Let’s get this straight (lmao): I am not ashamed of my sexuality! In reality, it ain’t nobody’s business! But I am okay with me. 🖤 love y’all."
He also responded to numerous people expressing disappointment in his sexuality, firmly stating that there is nothing wrong with being a gay man. For closeted "baby gays" who follow his career and social posts, this moment solidified Khalid as a role model—a figure of strength and pride in their young minds.
However, none of this began on Khalid’s terms. Almonte publicly posted an image of the two of them together, insinuating a prior romantic relationship, and he did so without Khalid’s consent. The backlash was swift and brutal, with many claiming Almonte had no right to share material that would force someone else out of the closet. Almonte defended his actions, arguing he was merely sharing his own experience, but the court of public opinion disagrees. Yes, Almonte has the right to share his story, but when that sharing comes at the expense of someone else’s privacy, it crosses an ethical line. As seen here, the natural consequences of such actions often shape the narrative in unexpected and unfavorable ways.
In 2024, we shouldn’t have to explain why outing someone without their consent is harmful and dangerous—but here we are. A person’s sexuality is personal, and whether they’re gay, straight, or claim any of the letters in the LGBTQIA+ bowl of alphabet soup, choosing to share that identity with the world is up to the individual. Outing someone can have significant emotional, social, and even physical consequences, especially for those not ready to live openly.
Many people aren’t closeted because they don’t want to be out but because it’s a matter of safety. Teenagers across the country have been kicked out of their homes due to unsupportive conservative family members. Trans women, especially Black trans women, face the highest risk of homicide in the United States. Public figures, like Khalid, are particularly vulnerable to having their personal lives weaponized against them. While Khalid turned being outed into an empowering moment, not everyone has that luxury.
In today’s world, it is more important than ever to remember that being an ally to the queer community means respecting the privacy and unique journey of each individual. Khalid wasn’t granted that courtesy, but we can learn from his story and do better for others moving forward. His strength and pride in his identity are beautiful, but he shouldn’t have had to demonstrate such resilience so unexpectedly.
As a society, we owe it to the next generation to respect personal boundaries—especially within the LGBTQIA+ community. Whether someone is a global superstar or a scared kid in the closet, kindness and respect for each person’s journey are the best ways forward. Honoring a friend’s journey without judgment or interference is, in itself, a beautiful thing.
