Lil Nas X’s same-sex kiss at awards show gets three FCC complaints: ‘It’s unnatural’
"I was very disturbed to see 2 men practically having sexual [sic] in the stage!"
Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: Black Entertainment Television network
Lil Nas X‘s same-sex kiss during a performance of ‘Montero (Call Me By Your Name)’ at last month’s BET Awards has been widely celebrated as a powerful, authentic step forward for LGBTQ pop culture representation. (Sorry, Madonna).
But a grand total of three people who wrote to The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) – an independent US government agency that regulates TV communications – apparently feel differently.
That said, of the complaints obtained by TMZ, one wasn’t even about the kiss, but rather the performance’s supposed ‘Satanist’ themes. (For that matter, Lil Nas recently said on Twitter: “I’ve already moved on past my satanic era. “’m in my king tut era now. y’all need to leave the past in the past.”)
“It is disgusting and wrong”
“I was very disturbed to see 2 men practically having sexual in the stage when the awards show is supposed to be a family show,” reads one of the complaints.
“It’s ridiculous and children and adults are being forced to endure this. Unacceptable and I will be unsubscribing from BET network. DISGUSTING AND DISTURBING!!!!!!!! [sic].”
A second complaint reads: “During a performance, 2 gay men kissed. Why are you showing this on tv. It is disgusting and wrong for kids to see because it’s unnatural.” (The sexuality of the dancers Lil Nas kissed during the performance is unknown).
The third complaint addressed the theme of Satanism in the performance, saying: “Satanism shouldn’t be broadcast on a family orientated show.”
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Defending the kiss on Instagram, Adam Lambert – who sparked similar headlines for a 2009 AMAs performance – recently said: “Two men kissing ain’t indecent, explicit or inappropriate for children. The double standard is painfully clear. All the haters need to really get their heads around the concept of equality. He’s clearly making a statement about it and making everyone talk. Pop Culture is being written.”
‘Panini’ singer Lil Nas came out publicly as gay in a Twitter post in June 2019 on the last day of Pride month.
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