It’s rare to find Latin reggaeton stars that unapologetically stand with the LGBTQ+ community, yet Bad Bunny is one artist doing the work. As a gender-bending Latin superstar, Bad Bunny has bucked conventional gender lines and has given queer fans a safe space within a music genre that holds homophobic standards.
In a recent interview with Highsnobiety, Bad Bunny opened up about his advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community and women through his art. This support has been very evident: From his music video for “Yo Perreo Sola,” where Bad Bunny dances in head-to-toe drag, as well as when he took a stand for trans rights during his musical performance on “The Tonight Show.”
“Obviously, I’ll never do anything to purposely offend anyone, but we’re human,” Bad Bunny says in the interview. “If I ever do or say anything that offends people, I will have two options: reflect to see if my behavior was the one at fault and learn from that in order to do better; or if I reflect and realize it was not me who was at fault, then I can leave it up to people whether they want to engage with my work.”
Bad Bunny has been pushing the boundaries on gender norms with his fashion and beauty choices, including hairstyles and nail art. Who could forget when he put a nail salon in Spain on blast for refusing to do his nails because he is a man? And now, for this latest cover story, he sports the infamous bolitas that so many Latinas grew up wearing.
For queer Latine fans of reggaeton, Bad Bunny has become a safe space for them to enjoy their favorite genre of music. Seeing him understand the fine line we walk between supporting and appropriating and consciously working to be an ally by breaking down stereotypes is great to see.