Billy Porter’s Bold Take on Vogue’s Latest Cover
When Vogue dropped a “straight white man” in a dress on their December 2020 cover, Billy Porter didn’t hold back. The acclaimed actor, who first turned heads in a Christian Siriano tux‑gown at the 2019 Oscars, fired back that the fashion power‑house chose the wrong icon to champion the non‑binary movement.
“I Changed the Whole Game”
- Porter claims he was the pioneer of men strutting in skirts before it became a trend.
- He says, “I changed the whole game. I. Personally. Changed. The. Whole. Game.”
- “I was the first one doing it and now everybody is doing it…” he added.
He’s not looking to blame Harry Styles, but he’s questioning why the cover spot went to a straight, white male when the conversation was sparked by queer trailblazers.
The Politics of Representation
Porter’s Perspective:
“This is politics for me. This is my life. I had to fight all my life to wear a dress to the Oscars and not be gunned. All he has to do is be white and straight.”
He’s calling Vogue’s choice a misstep in a broader drama about who gets to shape the narrative of gender expression in fashion.
Billy, Lil Nas X, and the Legacy of LGBTQ+ Icons
Porter, who appears in Lil Nas X’s “That’s What I Want” video, praises the pop star’s openness about sexuality. He believes Lil Nas X owes a debt to the earlier gay singers who paved the way.
- “My generation kicked the door down. Somebody else has to take the torch now.”
- He’s too old to be the “teeny‑bopper pop star,” so he’s happy with Lil Nas X carrying the mantle.
Confronting the Doubters
Porter recounts being warned that his queerness was a liability. He says those naysayers were right—for a long time—until they were not:
“I was told my queerness would be a liability and I would never have the kind of success that I have. And the naysayers were right for a very long time, until they weren’t.”
With a mix of humor and honesty, Billy Porter reminds us that breaking fashion rules isn’t just about looking good—it’s about rewriting the story of who gets to be seen.
