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

Addressing the delay to her upcoming music, the 33-year-old accused labels of not taking interest unless the music capitalises on "tik tok trends" or "80s revival queerbaiting".

From BBC • Jan. 21, 2026

The musician has never been explicit about his sexuality, which has led to some to accuse him of queerbaiting: the hinting of queerness as a marketing tactic.

From Salon • Aug. 23, 2022

“Noah Beck Tries Things” undertakes a version of this as well with queer collaborators, striking given that one of the most frequent critiques of Beck during his rise has been of queerbaiting.

From New York Times • Dec. 23, 2021

Critics will be debating for months whether or not Swift was making an earnest attempt to be an ally, queerbaiting as part of her album launch, or slow-walking her way to coming out.

From Slate • Jun. 15, 2019

Today, that tradition of subtext has evolved into a more overtly strategic tactic: queerbaiting.

From The Verge • May 29, 2018