The Shop: UNINTERRUPTED | Lil Nas X on Coming Out (Season 2 Episode 3 Clip) / HBO (YouTube)

In the promo clip, Lil Nas X discussed his decision to come out and reveal his sexuality.

“Growing up—I’m growing up to hate this shit,” Lil Nas X mused, pointing out the toxic masculinity that obviously surrounded him. Naturally, that societal standard contributed to his initial hesitation to speak his truth.

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“Why?” an incredulous Kevin Hart asked. Really, Kevin? Really?!

“Come on now, if you really from the hood…” Lil Nas X attempted to explain before concluding that “it doesn’t really matter” whether he came out or not. The whole conversation was a gaslighting chamber where a bunch of (presumably) cis-hetero men coaxed Lil Nas X to agree with them that his coming out wasn’t entirely necessary nor a big deal.

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As heterosexual people don’t have to risk it all with their sexual identity, no, it shouldn’t matter in an ideal world. But, it fucking does. It does matter for a black fucking rock star to come out as gay for the little black boys who are ashamed about the way they feel because it isn’t seen as “normal.” And anyone who thinks it doesn’t matter is being willfully obtuse at this point.

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I can’t help but feel for Lil Nas X in this moment, as he attempted true vulnerability in a space he assumed was safe yet was ultimately shut down. What kind of haphazard brotherly love is this?!

For all of its lauding about safety, this black barbershop didn’t seem safe at all for a young black man trying to unpack the weight of his sexuality reveal at the height of his career.

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Needless to say, the clip started quite the conversation on Twitter.

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As I said above, I haven’t seen the entire episode and will likely watch it. Maybe it’s actually a very fruitful and productive conversation and I’m just reacting “out of context,” right? Maybe that horse on the old town road will start mooing. Maybe. *stares at camera*

The Shop: Uninterrupted airs on HBO and the first episode is currently available to stream for free on HBO.com.