Opinion: Billie Eilish's "Lunch" is the anthem for LGBTQ+ pride that we've been eagerly seeking.
During the start of Pride Month and during a busy legislative cycle with LGBTQ individuals facing attacks, the contrast between queer celebration and fear plays out in the sensual and endorsing "Lunch."
Eilish's new album, "Hit Me Hard and Soft," bursts with an undisputed LGBTQ-focused sexuality, as she explicitly describes her desire to perform oral sex on her female lover.
"Lunch" represents boldness, provocation, and defiance. It's reminiscent of trans rights activist Marsha P. Johnson leading the charge at the Stonewall Inn in Manhattan's Greenwich Village and openly flouting societal norms like Billy Porter wearing a dress on the red carpet at 2020's Oscars. It personifies every woman who's kissed another woman, regardless of the repercussions.
Eilish's journey as an openly gay member of the LGBTQ community, illustrated through her album and interviews, mirrors how society has evolved to allow celebrities to share their genuine identities. At just 22 years old, Eilish has achieved unprecedented success, winning multiple Grammys, Billboard awards, MTV and People's Choice Awards, along with two Academy Awards for "What Was I Made For?" from the "Barbie" film and "No Time to Die" from the movie of the same name in 2021. She's also shared her accolades with her brother and songwriting/producing partner, Finneas O'Connell. Despite her accomplishments, she's still learning about herself and her sexuality.
The lyrics to "Lunch" indicate the advancement of LGBTQ content's authenticity and candidness. It surpasses Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl."
Historically, LGBTQ artists and everyday people have had to mask their desires or enforce heteronormative facades. They adopted disguises via sham marriages, coded literature, or subtle hints in scripts and lyrics.
Icons like late singer Whitney Houston, k.d. Lang, and Tracy Chapman are among the many performers who hid their true identities at various points throughout their careers. Actors like Jodie Foster and Elliot Page remained closeted for years until they felt secure enough in their professions to come out.
"Lunch" symbolises a shift in how queer women publicly express themselves through music. It eclipses Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl."
Eilish's tomboy style, blending grunge and artistry, challenges gender expectations for high-profile women. Her fashion preference includes oversized t-shirts and sneakers instead of ball gowns and heels, providing relief for those unable to conform to societal standards of gender and sexuality.
As women and queer individuals, groups that have traditionally been socialized to suppress our sexuality or adhere to heterosexual expectations, the double whammy of being women who love other women intensifies our invisibility. However, this challenge has also granted us the opportunity to rewrite the narrative, as shown by Eilish's "Lunch".
At a time when anti-LGBTQ hostility is rising in the US and beyond, the need for a counter-narrative focused on love and queer happiness is more critical. Over 500 anti-LGBTQ bills have been proposed in US state legislatures, and hostile countries have escalated their attacks on the LGBTQ community. Russia passed a law criminalizing LGBTQ expression, Ghana passed a law punishing LGBTQ relationships and offering jail, and Uganda imposed up to 20 years in prison for identifying as LGBTQ and even a death sentence for certain crimes.
In Italy, where a right-wing leader was elected in 2022, proposals aim to make gestational surrogacy illegal, claiming the practice is "inalienable" and would disproportionately prevent some LGBTQ individuals from becoming parents.
Recently, the US State Department released a travel advisory for LGBTQ individuals attending Pride events abroad, citing an increased threat risk without naming specific locations. This warning came immediately after an FBI and Department of Homeland Security announcement notifying travelers of potential violence against LGBTQ gatherings.
Recently, four lesbians were viciously attacked with fire in Buenos Aires, and three of them tragically lost their lives. The case of nonbinary teenager Nex Benedict became national news due to its mysterious nature. At least 14 transgender and gender-expansive individuals have been killed in the US this year, with one of these being a Black transgender woman named Starr Brown from Memphis. These are just a few examples of LGBTQ individuals who have been killed this year, which underscores the ominous trend that LGBTQ individuals are becoming less safe.
Each of these statistics has a name, a family, and a life that was cut short prematurely.
The Trevor Project recently released a report detailing the damage caused by the detrimental environment. It stated that 90% of LGBTQ youth experienced a decline in their well-being due to recent politics, while 50% faced bullying in the past year. We are letting down our children and risking the progress made towards equal rights and safety for LGBTQ individuals in just the past generation.
It's crucial that our leaders start paying attention to the perilous circumstances they are putting their most at-risk constituents in, by spreading false information and lies about LGBTQ individuals. Globally, LGBTQ individuals play an essential role in society, helping to advance understanding of love and human expression.
Ideally, we would all lay down our swords and open ourselves to love and understanding. Eilish's song, in its raw, authentic, and carnal tone, does just this. When millions of devoted fans - including LGBTQ and their allies - raise their fists and support her same-sex love and raw desire, it helps combat the insults thrown our way by anti-LGBTQ activists and government officials.
Her song, "Lunch," is more than just a chart-topper. It unapologetically shares the message that it's okay for a woman to desire another woman and share these desires openly. In a world where many LGBTQ individuals are still forced to hide their deepest emotions and desires, fearing rejection or worse, the power of speaking out and being bold cannot be overstated.
Eilish isn't the first celebrity to be outwardly queer. Entertainers like Lily Tomlin, Rosie O'Donnell, Ellen DeGeneres, and Melissa Etheridge paved the way for others to confidently embrace their identities. But with her latest album, especially the song "Lunch," Eilish has taken unbridled expression of queer and female sexual desire to a new level.
During this Pride Month, Eilish will undoubtedly enjoy her lunch with pride, while the rest of us turn the volume up and hopefully discover our truth together.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health issues, please reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988 to connect with a trained counselor, or visit the 988 Lifeline website for more information.
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This outpouring of LGBTQ-focused themes in Eilish's music, particularly in "Lunch," has sparked heated discussions among critics and fans alike, with many expressing their strong opinions on the topic.
Moreover, the song has resonated with many within the LGBTQ community, offering a refreshing representation and a platform for self-expression, further fueling diverse viewpoints and passionate discussions.
