Love, Simon star Keiynan Lonsdale declares himself the ‘Gay Street Fighter’ in defiant and proud new single
Queer actor and musician Keiynan Lonsdale
Queer actor and musician Keiynan Lonsdale has released a queer ode to Street Fighter.
The former Love, Simon and The Flash star dropped new super-queer track “Gay Street Fighter” from his upcoming debut album.
The track opens with the lyrics: “For anyone who thought they couldn’t be themselves and a hero too, your time is now, and it’s not going to be easy. Sometimes we might feel lost on the way, but if we persevere, this life sure will be beautiful.”
Keiynan Lonsdale says track is about fighting ‘very real homophobia around the globe’..
Speaking to Gay Times, Lonsdale explained that the track was an “ode to fighting games” like Street Fighter and was influenced by “[where I] was at with my sexuality at the time”.
He added: “The more I’d been building confidence as an out black man, the more I was reflecting and becoming frustrated with the ever-present and very real homophobia that we still face around the globe. I needed to sing about it.
“Everything in life is queer, it’s just nature’s way, hence why it’s cooler and more colourful. Any display of homophobia is a reflection of someone that hasn’t done the necessary work to be truly comfortable with their own complex sexuality.”
Queer actor and musician Keiynan Lonsdale has released a queer ode to Street Fighter.
Star isn’t afraid to put queerness at the heart of his music.
Lonsdale has put unapologetic queerness at the heart of his music so far, with tracks “Kiss The Boy” and “Rainbow Dragon” racking up fans on YouTube.
Speaking about his sexuality previously, the actor said: “Sometimes I’m bisexual, sometimes I’m gay, sometimes I feel straight, sometimes I’m not anything. It doesn’t matter. Either way, throughout all of that, I’m Keiynan.”
He has previously signalled his hope to take on other LGBT+ acting roles following on from the success of Love, Simon.
Lonsdale said in 2018: “I am open to any role that feels authentic, interesting and exciting. But one hundred percent, I’m definitely keen to portray more queer characters – and in new ways. Love, Simon and so many other LGBTQ projects are now paving the way for more stories and different stories to be told in different lights. I think this could be really really exciting.”
