Queerbaiting

The practice of teasing queer subtext or relationships in media as a way to appeal to LGBTQ+ audiences without actually delivering on representation.

Queerbaiting is a term used in popular culture to describe the practice of hinting at same-sex relationships between characters without actually following through with them. This practice is often employed by creators of media such as TV shows, movies, and books in an attempt to attract and retain viewers who are interested in queer representation. However, these hints are usually subtle and ambiguous, often leading to false hope and disappointment among viewers who identify with the queer community.


An example of queerbaiting is the film "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald," which introduced the character of Albus Dumbledore as a young man and hinted at a romantic relationship between him and the villain, Gellert Grindelwald. However, the relationship was never explicitly stated or shown on screen, leaving viewers to interpret the hints in their own way. This led to criticism from both queer viewers who felt exploited and let down, as well as from those who felt that the hints were too subtle and ambiguous to be considered meaningful representation.


Essentially, queerbaiting is seen as problematic because it can be seen as exploiting the queer community for profit and popularity without providing meaningful representation or accurate portrayals of queer characters and relationships.

"Queerbaiting isn’t representation. It’s manipulation."

- Gabby Rivera

Different Types of Queerbaiting

Queerbaiting for Ratings


This involves teasing the possibility of queer relationships or characters without actually following through on them. For example, in the TV show Supernatural, the characters Dean and Castiel have a close relationship that some fans interpret as romantic or sexual tension, but the show never explicitly confirms or denies it. This type of queer baiting can be seen as a way for creators to appeal to LGBTQ+ audiences without actually committing to representation.

Queerbaiting  as a Punchline


This type of queerbaiting involves using queer characters or storylines for shock value or as a plot device, without giving them meaningful development or representation. This can be seen in many horror movies where queer characters are often portrayed as victims or killers, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and tropes. As such, this type of queerbaiting becomes an example of tokenism. 

Queerbaiting for Profit


This type of queer baiting involves using LGBTQ+ identities as a marketing tool, without actually representing them in the content. This can be seen in many advertisements that use rainbow flags or other LGBTQ+ symbols during Pride month or other events, without actually supporting LGBTQ+ causes or representation.

Further Information