Why the Internet Is Mad at Fletcher: Pride, Bisexuality, and the “Boy” Backlash

Fletcher, known for her evocative songs about sapphic desire, heartbreak, and love, has long been celebrated within the lesbian and broader queer communities. Although she has never explicitly identified as a lesbian, her music’s focus on relationships between women has resonated deeply with many lesbian listeners, making her a significant figure in queer pop culture. Fletcher’s openness about her queer identity and her support of LGBTQ+ rights has further solidified her status as a relatable and affirming artist for fans across the spectrum.

The “Boy” Release and Relationship Revelation

On June 5, Fletcher released her single “Boy,” accompanied by merchandise and social media updates that confirmed she is currently dating a man. The timing of the announcement, landing in the middle of Pride Month, quickly ignited discourse online. Many fans expressed surprise, disappointment, or even anger, citing a sense of betrayal or concern that Fletcher was abandoning her core audience or undermining the lesbian visibility her music had provided.

On TikTok and Twitter, some accused Fletcher of capitalizing on her sapphic fanbase only to pivot to a more “mainstream” narrative during a politically charged Pride season. Others questioned the optics of releasing a track about an opposite-sex relationship, paired with “Boy” merchandise, at a time when LGBTQ+ communities face mounting legislative and social challenges.

Community Response: Bisexual Erasure or Betrayal?

The backlash has highlighted ongoing tensions within the LGBTQ+ community regarding bisexuality, representation, and the expectations placed on queer public figures. Some critics argued that Fletcher’s shift in subject matter — from singing about loving women to loving a man — constituted a form of “sapphic betrayal.” A number of fans felt that her music’s focus on lesbian experiences had been instrumental in their own self-discovery, making the release of “Boy” feel like a loss of solidarity or visibility.

Conversely, many voices in the community have defended Fletcher’s right to express the full spectrum of her identity. Bisexual and pansexual activists pointed out that more than half of queer adults in the United States identify as bisexual, and that erasing or shaming the fluidity of attraction only reinforces harmful stereotypes and bi-erasure. As one Out Magazine writer observed, “Being bisexual should be celebrated… Fletcher is still as queer as she ever was, and in the vast majority of the world, being with a man only raises her status."

Fletcher’s Response and the Broader Conversation

In response to the controversy, Fletcher released a TikTok video reaffirming her queer identity. “My queerness is not a phase. I am a queer woman. I have always identified as queer, I will always be queer ’til the day I die. I have loved women. I love women. I will always love women, whether I am with a guy, or a girl, or just a human being that I love,” she stated, emphasizing that her music and identity are not tied to the gender of her partner.

The debate surrounding Fletcher underscores persistent anxieties about authenticity and belonging in queer spaces. It also points to the need for greater awareness of the diversity of queer experiences, particularly for bisexual and pansexual people who often face skepticism both within and outside LGBTQ+ communities. As one fan noted, “In this political climate, we need to stand together, now more than ever."

Ultimately, Fletcher’s story serves as a microcosm of larger conversations about visibility, inclusion, and the evolving nature of queer identity in public life. While the internet’s reaction reflects real pain and frustration for some, it also offers an opportunity to celebrate the spectrum of queerness — and to affirm that being true to oneself is always in the spirit of Pride.