Tyler James Williams Is A Caution Against Sexuality Fishing Expeditions

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Tyler James Williams at the 2023 PaleyFest at the Dolby Theater on April 1, 2023 in Los Angeles, CA (Photo by Jean Nelson)

Growing up, I was always enamored with literature. While my brothers played basketball, reading was undoubtedly the equivalent of my sport. As a kid, Goosebumps would’ve been my LeBron. This passion prompted me to pursue a degree in English Education, as I desired to teach writing and literature at the high school level. One of the most well-known works of literature featured in contemporary curricula is Arthur Miller’s canonical play, The Crucible. The play, which was first performed in 1953, is a social and political commentary exploring the Salem Witch trials, focusing on the themes of power, unfounded fear, and mass hysteria. The play’s only black character, Tituba, is subjected to underhanded racial vitriol and unfounded claims of witchcraft.

Recently, as Pride Month was ushered in, one of my favorite actors, Tyler James Williams, started to trend on social media. Initially, I was confused because I was aware of the current (and much warranted) writer’s Strike that meant there weren’t any new episodes of the hit show Abbott Elementary. To my surprise, he was not trending because of his extensive Hollywood career, including a Golden Globe award. Instead, Tyler was trending because, for some reason, he had to confirm his sexuality in a public forum.

Tyler quipped a brief, yet poignant and clear post clarifying his position-he does not identify as gay, and finds the conversation and hyper ridicule as counterproductive and toxic. This is especially true, considering he has siblings that identify as queer. The decorated actor wrote, “Happy Pride to all of my queer and questioning brothers, sisters, and individuals. I pray that you feel seen in ways that make you feel safe in the celebration that is this month. As an ally, I continue to be committed to assisting in that where I can and helping to cultivate a future where we are all accepted and given permission to be ourselves.”

“While Tyler James Williams seemed to take this in stride, this type of narrative and conversation has a tangible negative impact, especially for Black queer youth.”

Prove your innocence; Prove you’re straight.

Williams’s post opened with “Usually, I wouldn’t address stuff like this, but I feel like this conversation is bigger than me. I’m not gay, but I think the culture of trying to ‘find’ some kind of hidden trait or behavior that a closed person ‘let slip’ is very dangerous. Overanalyzing someone’s behavior in an attempt to ‘catch’ them directly contributes to the anxiety a lot of queer and queer-questioning people feel when they fear living in their truth.”

As I reflected on Tyler’s heartfelt message, I could not help but ask myself, where else have I read someone having to defend themselves against an unfounded claim with such fervor and clarity before? Why does it sound so familiar? My mind went to many instances. On one extreme, I thought of the experiences of Black men defending themselves against White lynch mobs during the Jim Crow South, where they were often subjected to race-based witch hunts. Obviously, this was different. I also thought about how some labeled New York City’s stop-and-frisk expeditions the “Black men’s witch hunt.“ For some, being a Black man in New York City felt like being a witch in Salem. Then, I thought about the GOP’s current obsession with outing trans children, which some call a witch hunt. Obviously, it's still different.

Then, I thought about when I first heard the term “witch hunt,” and it clicked. In The Crucible, Tituba was subjected to an impossible task-prove her innocence. Tyler James Williams felt the pressure to do something similar-prove his sexuality. I do not think he should have ever had to. Even if he were gay, we would not be entitled to that information.  And for those that believed he was gay, what message or evidence could he provide to change that opinion? Should he have to? If so, during Pride month?

What is a witch hunt?

The term “witch hunts” has roots in the late 16th and 17th centuries, referring to individuals being unfairly targeted or persecuted even if evidence was largely absent. Now, “witch hunt” is often still used to decry purportedly baseless allegations. Regardless of the definition, it is crucial to acknowledge the role of power in constructing witch hunts.  

I acknowledge that this is not a direct parallel, especially considering historical witch hunts were rooted in classism and misogyny. Yet, the hyper-focus on Tyler James Williams has other deeply problematic roots- homophobia, and toxic masculinity, especially in Black men. In this instance, it is not that Tyler James Williams is practicing “black magic;” instead, it is that Tyler James Williams is operating outside of the norm of a “traditional Black man.”  This freedom, such as his fashion choices or lack of a visible girlfriend, seemed to spark conversation.

Williams continued, “And what may seem like harmless fun and conversation may actually be sending a dangerous message to those struggling with real issues. I refuse to inadvertently contribute to that message. It also reinforces an archetype many straight men have to live under that is oftentimes unrealistic, less free, and limits individual expression. Being straight doesn’t look one way. Being gay doesn’t look one way.” 

“Respecting and protecting an individual’s right to sexual privacy, if desired, is not only an ethical imperative but also essential for fostering inclusive and supportive communities.”

Why is this harmful?

While Tyler James Williams seemed to take this in stride, this type of narrative and conversation has a tangible negative impact, especially for Black queer youth. Let’s say Tyler James Williams did identify as queer; this would not be the way to create a brave space for him to feel validated and prideful in his identity. He could be queer and quiet. Prideful, but private. The constant obsession with his sexuality implied that heterosexuality and homosexuality were monolithic.  

More troubling, if Tyler were queer and not ready to publicly share that, forcing him to have public conversations about his private life could be traumatic and/or troublesome. This is true for thousands of queer and questioning men. Outing someone, or revealing someone's sexual orientation or gender identity without their consent, is fundamentally wrong and goes against the principles of respect, privacy, and autonomy. Even the public implication of another’s queerness undermines their right to self-determination and denies them the opportunity to control how, when, and to whom they disclose their sexual orientation.

Respecting and protecting an individual's right to sexual privacy, if desired, is not only an ethical imperative but also essential for fostering inclusive and supportive communities. This is true even for Golden Globe-winning actors and other celebrities. 

Tyler James Williams made it abundantly clear that he is not queer, but somewhere, a Black queer actor with less power and privilege is calculating how they can overcome the next sexuality fishing expedition or witch hunt. It is our job to never put them on trial, to begin with.