It started as a typical interview at Sugarscape for Harry Styles and Liam Payne, two of the members of the all-star boy-band One Direction, as they promoted their newest album FOUR. Then, the interview asked a common question: what traits do the boys look for in a girl? “Female commented Payne with a joking smile. With a side-glance at his band mate, Styles shrugged and responded: “Not that important."
Social media websites immediately went wild with speculation. Was one Direction’s most famous womanizer coming out as bisexual or gay?
One part of the One Direction fandom was nonplussed by the comment — the LGBTQIA supporters. While most people perceive Directioners as a mob of hysterical, heterosexual teenage girls, the LGBTQIA community is bigger and more involved in the One Direction fandom than the mass media might think. And with millions of fans worldwide, One Direction supporters are becoming a force to be reckoned with.
Styles’ comment was not the first incident, just one of many. He once wore a Michael Sam jersey in concert in support of the first openly gay NFL player. He spoke out against Westboro Baptist Church when they picked outside one of the band’s venues. During another interview, he told bandmate Niall Horan, “Don’t knock it ‘till you’ve tried it” in reference to Horan hypothetically dating a boy.
Styles isn’t the only one. Six days after the infamous “Not that important” interview. Louis Tomlinson stepped out in the London streets, donning a shirt with a rainbow Apple logo a few days after Apple CEO Tim Cook came out as a gay man in front of an international audience. His t-shirt could have been an outward show of support of his band mate, Tim Cook, and the LGBTQIA community at large.
LGTBQIA fans have a long-standing tradition of “shipping” (or supporting a perceived relationship between two people, either fictionalized or real) Styles and Tomlinson. Affectionately called “Larry Stylinson,” they are the most popular ship in the world. According to UK’s “The Mirror,” Tomlinson’s tweet, “Always in my heart @harrystyles” is the most retweeted and favorite tweet in history, surpassing Obama’s reelection in November 2012. “Larry Stylinson” is even being added to the dictionary.
“Because One Direction is so large, it feels almost safe to ship them. I feel comfortable reading and writing fan fiction in which they’re together, because I know they’ll never see it,” said Lee Buono, an Elon University junior who identifies as non-binary. According to Buono, Harry Styles’ effeminate appearance is especially empowering to non-binary individuals.
“Harry Styles’ general femininity is empowering. His style and general upkeep isn’t always super masculine, and its’ refreshing. One Direction is the biggest band in the world, and him saying gender isn’t important in love is huge for anyone who identifies as LGBT.”
Not only is One Direction having a personal impact for LGBTQIA fans but the fandom culture plays an important role in the revival of the feminist movement. Fans have found fandoms a safe place to express their sexuality without being open or publically shamed for it.
“Fan platforms have become a safe and open space for fans to practice their sexuality and discuss it in a comfortable and happy manner,” said gender studies student Alex Vandermaas-Peeler.
“Larry Stylinson” neutralizes the idea of a patriarchal relationship, in which a girl has more perceived power than a girl in a relationship, according to Coffee + Stink blogger Gretchen Kast. When both partners are the same gender, both partners have equal power. Young people seeking portrayals of open, equal relationships in media can identify with Larry Stylinson and these kinds of LGBTQIA ships.
“[Larry Shippers’] actions are laden with the complexities of our current social climate. They formed a community and collective identity to solve their fears alongside those for the world around them,” said Kast in her blog.
Fan platforms often include some type of Larry fan fiction, fan art and detailed explanations of their fan theories.
Buono is a Larry shipper hirself (gender neutral pronoun) and finds Larry references in art or in the media refreshing.
“When fans see art depicting Larry Stylinson, they are gradually becoming more comfortable with the idea of a gay couple in mainstream media,” said Buono. “This kind of exposure is monumental.”
Lyrics in one Direction’s albums are even subtly changing to be more gender-neutral. Early hits such as “Gotta Be You” often repeat the word “girl” for emphasis. This is not the case in FOUR. While some songs still reference typically feminine pronouns, the majority has shifted to the more generic “baby” and “you,” making it easier for LGBTQIA fans to relate.
As mainstream audiences move toward being more open and accepting. Directioners have become one of the forces for this positive societal change.
“I became a One Direction fan because their music was so catchy,” Lee said. “Now, it’s more than that. I see them as helping young generations become progressively more tolerant and understanding.”