Student Comes Out to Christian University with Dazzlingly Gay Lip Sync

A student in Oregon is going viral after basically coming out to his entire Christian university with a very, very gay lip sync to Taylor Swift’s “You Need to Calm Down.”

Reid Arthur took center stage with a group of his friends for a lip sync battle at George Fox University in which they performed a combo of Taylor Swift’s “...Ready For It?” and her Lover-era “You Need to Calm Down.”

As sparkly and dance-y as their rendition of “...Ready For It?” was, it was TSwift’s 2019 gay anthem that really drove home the rainbow pride in the middle of the auditorium.

This man just came out to our entire private christian university at a lip sync battle to @taylorswift13 You Need To Calm Down, won 500$ and is donating all of it to @glaad & @TrevorProject #ThisIsProgress #LGBTQrights #LoveWins pic.twitter.com/veoAghMbGK — k (@honeyh0neyy) November 17, 2019

While it's unclear to what degree Reid was out before this, as we all know, coming out is a constant process, and there’s a difference between being out in your day-to-day life versus making sure everyone at your super Christian school knows you’re out and proud.

Tonight I helped one of my favorite people come out, and the love and joy that surrounded this moment is going to stick with me for the rest of my life. I’m so proud of you @reidoburrito95 https://t.co/Jor3kHQZed — real homie (@AllieSchluchter) November 17, 2019

Though it resides not far from Portland, one of the most liberal cities in the US, George Fox University is a Christian university with a specific note on their website that they believe marriage is between a man and a woman and they will “hold the historic Christian position on this topic.”

All the same, it’s obvious Reid and his friends provided some highly needed chaotic LGBTQ energy to the students at the school.

Seeing a standing ovation after @reidoburrito95 sang You Need to Calm Down at lip sync is making me EMOTIONAL this is the most affirmed I have ever felt at gfu pic.twitter.com/14ims8PdKx — Cara (@carabooooo) November 17, 2019

Hey @reidoburrito95 I saw what you did at lip sync and as a bisexual alumnus I want to thank you for taking such strides to welcome and support the lgbtq+ students of GFU. I’m currently in bed crying about this. — Megara (@the_moonbeam) November 17, 2019

@reidoburrito95 never fails to blow me away, but this really took the cake. Thank you for standing up for all of us. We love you. — Han (@reluctantemo) November 17, 2019

Not only did Reid and his friends win the university’s lip sync competition, they pledged to donate the winnings to GLAAD and The Trevor Project.

And more than even that, this fearless display of queerness seems to be energizing the LGBTQ community at the school to push back against the university’s lack of acceptance and affirmation.

As dazzling and inspiring as @reidoburrito95 and crew’s performance was, it shouldn’t have to take a literal song and dance for you to change your LGBTQ+ policies @georgefox. We’ve been existing, crying out, and feeling ostracized and neglected for years. Listen this time. https://t.co/MAvYpbIZyg — Casey Hastings (@lady___casey) November 17, 2019

No, it shouldn't take a song and dance to convince anyone that an entire group of people deserve respect and acceptance. But sometimes, all the same, a little song and dance can go a long way.