Troye Sivan Doesn't Want to Be Called a Gay Icon

One of the first phrases that undoubtedly comes to your mind when you think about OUT cover star Troye Sivan, is probably "gay icon." As an artist that’s unapologetically not afraid to incorporate his sexuality into his music, he’s one of the voices of this generation.

But here’s the thing: he doesn’t actually want you to call him "icon." In a recent interview with Another Man, he explained why.

"With people like Hayley Kiyoko and Brockhampton, we’re starting to get, finally, a diverse group of different LGBTQ perspectives. That’s why I politely don’t want to take on that ‘gay icon’ thing. I’m one voice of so many that are missing, and so I’m just trying to tell my story, and right now I’m having so much fun in my life, I feel confident, I’m just enjoying myself, and so that was really important to me to express."

He went on to discuss his role in representing the LGBTQ community. When asked about the expectation of representing the entire community because he’s queer, he mentioned:

"I just don’t represent everybody, because I’m extraordinarily lucky. I come from a middle-class white family in Australia, and all of my dreams have come true by 22. I had the easiest coming out in the world... I don’t ever want to take that on really, because there are plenty of other people who need to be heard first."

Read more from Troye's Another Man interview here—and check out the OUT cover story with the rising pop star right now.