Arts & Entertainment
Fans react to a fake coming out tweet from Shawn Mendes
the pop singer addressed the rumors in a Snapchat video
Shawn Mendes fans rallied together to stop a fake coming out tweet from spreading online.
“Guys my sexuality shouldn’t be anyone’s business. Yes, I’m gay and I’m proud,” the tweet reads.
#ShawnComingOut pic.twitter.com/qrMRndowyA
— e (@Kardashel) August 29, 2017
The news soon led to the hashtag “ShawnComingOut” and some of his fans let it be known they didn’t care what the Canadian singer’s sexuality was.
Why is Shawn’s sexuality such a big topic in pop culture?? lmao he makes music and the focus should be on THAT #ShawnComingOut
— megan® (@megsrep) August 29, 2017
Soon fans realized the tweet was fake and out of respect for Mendes insisted the message stop getting posted.
i have his notifications on if that was a real tweet i would’ve seen it. stop assuming his sexuality. just let him be shawn. #ShawnComingOut
— spooky nicole (@safetypinshane) August 30, 2017
SHAWN IS AN UNPROBLEMATIC ANGEL AND MAKING FAKE HASHTAGS ABOUT HIS SEXUALITY IS EXACTLY WHAT WE AIN’T GONNA DO #ShawnComingOut pic.twitter.com/520XWTlv49
— m (@radiantana) August 30, 2017
#ShawnComingOut the fact that someone made a fake tweet to force a sexuality into someone is disgusting and y’all should be ashamed
— Vale loves Shawn ❤️? (@Barryftcampbell) August 29, 2017
#ShawnComingOut ITS FAKE PLEASE STOP POSTING ABOUT IT AND RESPECT SHAWN, CHECK HIS PROFILE AND LOOK FOR THE TWEET I DARE YOU.
— 8:01 (@kawaiimendes98) August 31, 2017
Why would you make a fake tweet about that little angel? LEAVE SHAWN ALONE!!! #ShawnComingOut
— Potato [Team?] (@SMendesTHolland) August 31, 2017
Mendes addressed the rumors in a Snapchat video and said he wasn’t offended by the fake tweet falsely saying he’s gay. Instead, the problem was that being gay is seen as something negative.
“Now I’m not frustrated because people were saying that I was gay at all. I have no problem with that because it wouldn’t make a difference to me,” Mendes says in the video. “I’m frustrated because in this day and age people have the audacity to write online that I’m gay as if it were a bad thing.”
The Capital Pride Alliance presented the 2026 Capital Pride Honors at “The Audacity Brunch: In Full Fuchsia” at the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. on Sunday, June 7.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)












Out & About
Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
Daylong Pride celebration blends history, remembrance, art and community
Historic Congressional Cemetery will host the second annual “Gays & Graves: A Big Gay Festival” on Sunday, June 14 at 11 a.m.
The event will feature pioneering activist Randy Wicker, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, and new public art installations and programs celebrating LGBTQ+ history. Gays & Graves is an official partner event of Capital Pride 2026.
This event is a daylong Pride celebration blending history, remembrance, art and community. Visitors can shop from LGBTQ+ and allied artists and makers, experience performances and interactive installations, and engage with programs exploring LGBTQ+ history and lived experience.
For more details, visit the cemetery’s website.
Baltimore Pride is underway, taking place from June 8-14.
The Pride Parade will be on Saturday, June 13 at 12 p.m. at Charles Street & North Avenue, followed by the Pride Block Party at 1 p.m. at Druid Hill Park. And then the Pride Festival will be held on Sunday, June 14 at 12 p.m. at Druid Hill Park.
There will be an array of additional events including: a fashion show, a “Suits and Sneakers” reception and a 5k race, among many other events.
For more details, visit Baltimore Pride’s website.
