Popular YouTuber Trisha Paytas is facing extreme backlash, after releasing a line of merchandise that features a unique slogan – which some fans feel is controversial.
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Paytas released the merchandise on February 19, which featured a series of tops and hoodies emblazoned with the slogan, “Gay > Straight.”
Paytas explained the design on her Instagram post promoting the merch, writing, “I’ve always preferred gay people over straight… More accepting… So, I made merch to proclaim this.”
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However, many fans aren’t pleased with the design, with some critics feeling that the YouTuber is profiting off of the LGBTQ+ community.
Some fans have even accused Paytas of being “heterophobic,” claiming that she is “shaming” straight people for being attracted to the opposite sex.
@trishapaytas ‘s new merch is absolutely disgusting. i understand she’s trying to “be more accepting”. we shouldn’t be making people feel down about themselves because of who they love. don’t hate someone for liking the same gender or even liking the opposite one.
— morgan :face_with_cowboy_hat: (@mercurym1dn1ght) February 21, 2019
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“I understand she’s trying to “be more accepting,” one commenter said of the issue. “We shouldn’t be making people feel down about themselves because of who they love.”
“Wow, heterophobic, much?” another wrote. “We’re fucking equal! It’s 2019 sis! I’m very disappointed in you.”
Despite these claims, other fans are standing up in Paytas’s defense, calling the design a “harmless joke” and noting the disparity in oppression between gay people and straight people due to their sexuality.
“At least y’all can’t get murdered over your sexuality,” one user wrote. “We are so excluded, and y’all getting mad over this!”
YALL. TRISHA PAYTAS MADE MERCH THAT SAID
“GAY > STRAIGHT”
ITS LITERLALY A HARMLESS JOKE. STRAIGHTS ARENT OPPRESSED IN ANY WAY AND THEYRE GETTING OFFENDED OVER THIS?? AT LEAST YALL CANT GET MURDERED FOR YALLS SEXUALITY. LIKE? WE ARE SO EXCLUDED AND YALL GETTING MAD OVER THIS I pic.twitter.com/QKVGY1ifLL
— max | HE/HIM PLEASE (@fossiIdan) February 21, 2019
Paytas has yet to address the issue via any of her social media accounts, and the merch in question remains available on her website for purchase.
