Here Are 30+ Times When BTS Proved Themselves To Be LGBTQIA+ Allies

“No matter who you are, where you’re from, your skin color, gender identity: speak yourself.”

BTS is the biggest K-Pop group as people all around the world are ARMY. People become fans of the group not just because of their great music but because of their lyrics and messages throughout their work, such as “Love Yourself.” They have also been actively involved in charity work, such as their #ENDVIOLENCE campaign with UNICEF as well as privately donating to numerous other charities. Last year, they made a generous donation to Black Lives Matter as well. Their genuine caring personalities and hearts are one of the main factors in the group’s success.

| BTS 2014 Muster

Their messages and lyrics have encouraged many fans. BTS are one of the few K-Pop artists who have been outspoken on many topics still deemed taboo in South Korea, such as mental health and LGBTQIA+ topics. Henceforth, many people have said that BTS have helped them.

Here are 30+ times BTS have proved themselves to be LGBTQIA+ allies…

1. When RM recommended Blue Is The Warmest Color

RM previously recommended to fans the 2013 film adaptation of the 2010 graphic novel Blue Is the Warmest Color, a French love story between two women.

| V app & @jinsoulsmilf/Twitter

2. Fans of Troye Sivan

Jungkook is a well-known fan of Troye Sivan, an openly gay music artist. He also sang a duet of Sivan’s song “Fools” with RM.

3. RM’s UN Speech

In BTS’s speech for the United Nations, RM said, “No matter who you are, where you’re from, your skin color, gender identity: speak yourself.” Gay K-Pop artist Holland also shared that he felt “thankful” for RM’s UN speech.

4. Their friendship with Halsey

Not only did they collaborate with Halsey, who is openly fluid about their sexuality, on “Boy With Luv,” but they have a great friendship with the singer. They have been friends for years now, exchanging gifts, and often hanging out when they can.

BTS with Halsey at 2019 Billboard Music Awards | 2019 NBCUniversal Media, LLC

5. When RM recommended “Same Love’ and “Strawberries and Cigarettes”

RM recommended “Same Love” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featuring Mary Lambert. He said he liked the song twice as much after finding out the song’s meaning.

| @jinsoulsmilf/Twitter & @BTS_twt/Twitter

RM has also recommended Troye Sivan’s “Strawberries and Cigarettes, which is from the gay rom-com Love, Simon.

| @BTSASMMM/Twitter & @BTS_twt/Twitter

6. Breaking gender norms with their fashion choices in photoshoots

Recently, BTS’s Jimin and V gained praise for wearing skirts in Version 1 of their “Butter” single release photo concepts. BTS has been outspoken about wearing whatever you want to, regardless of gender.

This isn’t the first time BTS has defied gender norms and worn traditionally female clothing, such as skirts.

Jungkook has also said that he belives people can wear anything they like “regardless of gender.”

7.  When Suga said that gender doesn’t matter when it comes to his “ideal type”

In a 2014 interview with Japanese magazine Oricon Style, Suga described his ideal type. 

I focus on personality and atmosphere. I don’t have an ideal type and it’s not limited to a girl.

— Suga

Suga | Naver Dispatch

8. When BTS collaborated with Lil Nas X

RM had featured on Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” remix known to as “Seoul Town Road.” Later, all seven members performed with the openly gay music artist at the 2020 Grammy Awards.

BTS with Lil Nas X at 2020 Grammy Awards | Recording Academy/GRAMMYs

9. When BTS members wore pieces from pride collections from brands

| @jooniexe/Twitter
| @jinsoulsmilf/Twitter
| @jinsoulsmilf/Twitter

10. Deciding that their BT21 characters are gender-neutral

| BT21
MANG | BT21 

11. Including pride flag colors throughout their music videos

| @jinsoulsmilf/Twitter
| @jinsoulsmilf/Twitter
| @jinsoulsmilf/Twitter
| @jinsoulsmilf/Twitter
| @jinsoulsmilf/Twitter
| @jinsoulsmilf/Twitter
| @jinsoulsmilf/Twitter
| @jinsoulsmilf/Twitter
| @jinsoulsmilf/Twitter & YouTube

12. When BTS included a movie poster for an LGBT film in their set’s design

13. When RM gave an inclusive answer when asked about dating

When asking about dating in an interview, RM has said that they don’t have “boyfriend or girlfriend.”

14. J-Hope’s speech at MMA

When accepting the award for “Artist of the Year” at 2018 Melon Music Awards, J-Hope said that he had learned about different types of love.

15. When BTS used gender-inclusive lyrics in their songs

16. When RM referenced Moonlight in his lyrics

In RM and V’s self-written, composed, and produced song “4 O’Clock,” RM references the Oscar-winning film Moonlight, which focuses on a young, gay man. The song was released as part of the BTS Festa on June 9, 2017.

| Genius

17. When BTS admired ARMYs’ pride flags on tour

Throughout the Love Yourself tour, many ARMYs have brought pride flags and have had positive interactions with BTS as a result.

18. Jungkook agreed to go on a date with a male ARMY

19. RM saying “being masculine” is an outdated concept

In BTS’s recent interview with Rolling Stone, they touched on masculinity, and RM described it as an “outdated concept.”

The labels of what being masculine is, is an outdated concept. It is not our intention to break it down. But if we are making a positive impact, we are very thankful. We live in an age where we shouldn’t have those labels or have those restrictions.

— RM

| Rolling Stone

20. Both V’s “Stigma” and J-Hope’s “Boy Meets Evil” has been interpreted by fans as LGBT-themed lyrics

| @jinsoulsmilf/Twitter
| @jinsoulsmilf/Twitter   

21. Suga’s lyrics in “Cypher Pt. 3: Killer”

There’s one line in particular during his rap that is quite sexual and refers to both “guys” and “girls.”

| Genius

22. When RM wrote song “Party XXO” for girl group GLAM which contains WLW lyrics

| @jinsoulsmilf/Twitter 

23. The concept behind “Blood Sweat & Tears”

The song and music video are inspired by novel Demian, which is about temptation and features a gay kiss. Similarily, Jin kisses a male statue in the music video.

24. The possible gay relationship between BTS’s characters in the The Most Beautiful Moment in Life (HYYH) universe

In the music videos, short films, highlight reels, etc., some of the members’ pairings are interpreted as romantic by fans, especially RM and V’s characters, which was seemingly confirmed in a behind-the-scenes video. Suga and Jungkook is also interpreted this way.

25. Jin and Jungkook responding with male celebrities when asked about their celebrity crushes

Jin has frequently talked about his celebrity crush being Hollywood actor Brad Pitt.

Similarily, Jungkook has said that Marvel hero Iron Man is his celebrity crush.

Sometimes, the members even say that the other members, usually RM, are their celebrity crush.

26. BTS are also known fans of Kehlani, another openly queer artist.

RM has called her an “influential female artist,” V had her song “Honey” on his Spotify playlist, and Jimin said he likes to listen to the song too.

| @jinsoulsmilf/Twitter 

27. When Suga wore a shirt with a quote from Brokeback Mountain

This Oscar-winning 2005 film focuses on a gay relationship between a cowboy and a ranch hand.

| @jinsoulsmilf/Twitter

28. BTS being outspokenly spoken out about their support of the LGBTQIA+ community in interviews

One of the first times that BTS openly spoke out in support of the LGBTQIA+ community during an interview with Billboard.

| Billboard

29. When Suga used “boy” instead of “girl” in “Good Day”

| @jinsoulsmilf/Twitter & @BTS_twt/Twitter

30. BTS collaborating with Mnek

Openly gay artist Mnek was one of the producers for BTS’s song “Paradise” and praised the BTS members.

RM (left) and Mnek (right) | @BTS_twt/Twitter

31. V is a fan of many openly gay artists

Not only does V love Kehlani but he is a big fan of multiple artists who are members of the LGBT+ community, such as photographer Ryan McGinley and Creative Director of Gucci Alessandro Michele.

| @jinsoulsmilf/Twitter 

32. When RM read Confessions of a Mask

The Japanese novel focuses on a gay character.

| @jinsoulsmilf/Twitter

33. When V recommended Call Me Be Your Name

In a live broadcast, V recommended the gay film Call Me By Your Name and said he liked the soundtrack.

V (left) and J-Hope (right) | BTS/VLIVE

34. BTS also frequently wear a variety of rainbow-colored outfits

35. When BTS changed their ARMY Bomb lights to rainbow

| @enbyjimn/Twitter

For more LGBTQIA+ allied groups, check out the article below:

Here Are 20+ Times When GOT7 Proved Themselves To Be LGBTQIA+ Allies

Source: @BTSASMMM, Rolling Stone, Billboard, @jinsoulsmilf and Image

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