queerbaiting

American  

[kweer-bey-ting] / ˈkwɪərˌbeɪ tɪŋ /

noun

1. Slang. a marketing technique involving intentional homoeroticism or suggestions of LGBTQ+ themes intended to draw in an LGBTQ+ audience, without explicit inclusion of openly LGBTQ+ relationships, characters, or people.

   Television programs need to start openly depicting queer characters, because I'm tired of the queerbaiting.

2. Also queer-baiting acts of anti-LGBTQ+ provocation, especially in speech and writing, including hate speech, threats, and other forms of harassment targeting the LGBTQ+ community.

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Etymology

Origin of queerbaiting

First recorded in 1955–60 queerbaiting for def. 2; 2010–15 queerbaiting for def. 1; queer ( def. ) + -baiting ( def. )

Example Sentences

But, in imagining Marvel Studios coming to the realization that Pride Month should really take place in spooky season and that holding out hope for brief, queerbaiting scenes in major studio releases is the equivalent of a mini-Snickers, in terms of satisfaction, "Agatha All Along" scratches an itch with the perfect thing . . . gay witches.

From Salon

Most recently the singer was accused of “queerbaiting” for a cryptic TikTok in October in which she seemingly came out as gay.

From Los Angeles Times

Styles and Bad Bunny have been accused of the very contemporary crime of “queerbaiting,” or cultivating a faux mystique around one’s sexuality to appeal to an L.G.B.T.Q. fan base.

From New York Times

Queerbaiting refers to when someone claims to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community, sometimes for publicity, when they are not.

From BBC

Some social media users had accused Connor of "queerbaiting" after he was seen holding hands with actress Maia Reficco, his co-star in indie film A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow.

From BBC