Kehlani Says She Has 'a Lot of Privilege' as a 'Straight-Passing' Person: 'I've Been Lucky'
She’s hot. Kehlani is shining on their path to success but is also acknowledging the privilege that helped pave the way.
The R&B singer, 25, has been one of the several queer artists to prosper within the current mainstream music scene, with two Grammy nominations and appearances on the Billboard 200 album chart. In speaking with The Advocate for the magazine's cover story, she said she recognize how their "straight and cisgender presenting" privilege has played a part in finding success. "I have a lot of privilege," says Kehlani, who uses she/they pronouns and identifies as queer. "I think a lot of artists who we talk about and say, 'Oh, they had to come out or they had to do this,' a lot of them can't hide it." A lot of it is very [much] in how they present. It's tougher for them," Kehlani said. "It's tougher for trans artists. It's tougher for Black gay men. It's tougher for Black masculine gay women."
While the "Bad News" singer shared on Twitter in 2018 to clarify that she identifies as "queer," she never felt the pressure to come out in her own personal life, mainly due to the way she presents herself.
"I didn't even really have to come out in my private life," said Kehlani. "I don't walk down the street and people look at me and go, 'Oh, I bet she's queer' or 'I bet that she's into women' or anything like that because of the way I present."
"That's all privilege and I think that there are quite a few artists who were truly at the forefront but weren't able to make the strides that I was able to make being 100 percent myself because of the way they present and the biases and the phobias of the American public and the world," she added. "I've been lucky, super lucky."
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 29 | April 23, 2021 4:14 AM
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What exactly is “straight passing“? Presence/absence of a caftan?
by Anonymous | reply 1 | April 8, 2021 1:48 AM
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Celia Rubinstein was a friend to all mankind......
WHO!!????
by Anonymous | reply 4 | April 8, 2021 2:20 AM
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A Datalounge thread on Kehlani?? Well you don't say!
Kehlani had a baby with Daily Shows' Jaboukie Young-White's brother Javaughn. Both of those brothers are GAY. I think Kehlani might like ladies sometimes, but I wager she likes seeing her man get fucked by another man more. Chile, I guess we calling that queer in 2021. Guapdad 4000 is another one of her besties, and sometimes I feel like there might be some tea on him too 🌈. She has a type for sure!
by Anonymous | reply 5 | April 8, 2021 4:04 AM
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You better show that face in some pussy or shut the fuck up, Kehlani.
by Anonymous | reply 10 | April 8, 2021 11:41 AM
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ok r8, she was definitely strapping on for him tho
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 11 | April 8, 2021 1:43 PM
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I’m so sick of this shit.
by Anonymous | reply 12 | April 8, 2021 1:53 PM
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Straight privilege because you are straight.
by Anonymous | reply 14 | April 8, 2021 9:18 PM
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But she can't hide those hideous tattoos.
by Anonymous | reply 15 | April 8, 2021 9:49 PM
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Javaughn is so beautiful 😍
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 18 | April 9, 2021 2:49 AM
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Just to reiterate.......who?
by Anonymous | reply 20 | April 11, 2021 9:59 PM
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God bisexuals are fucking ANNOYING. Male or female, they are all raging narcissists.
by Anonymous | reply 21 | April 11, 2021 10:34 PM
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Like Kehlani's music. But I rme at her comment during a Vogue video saying trans women were the best at doing make-up.
by Anonymous | reply 23 | April 12, 2021 1:15 PM
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Javaughan is indeed handsome. Does he make music?
by Anonymous | reply 25 | April 23, 2021 2:03 AM
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r25 all I know is that he's a guitarist a la his social media, if he can sing as well I dont see why he aint a huge star
by Anonymous | reply 26 | April 23, 2021 2:47 AM
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A big neck tattoo and tattoos covering hands and fingers can say a lot about a person
by Anonymous | reply 27 | April 23, 2021 3:43 AM
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She's gorgeous even with the tatts. The parents are chill with no drama so good for them. Is that wacky Lauren Hill on her arm?
by Anonymous | reply 28 | April 23, 2021 4:12 AM
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No clue who or what she is.
by Anonymous | reply 29 | April 23, 2021 4:14 AM
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