Queerbaiting
Implying but never actualizing a non-hetero relationship
Example
I'm so glad Our Flag Means Death wasn't just queerbaiting ... how refreshing!
Related Slang
LGBTQ | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer |
LGBTQIA | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual |
Shipping | Hoping for two people to get into a relationship |
Headcanon | A fan's unverified beliefs about a story |
Superfan | An extremely dedicated fan |
Alphabet mafia | LGBTQIA+ people |
Cis | Cisgender |
Trans | Transgender |
Most often, the term queerbaiting refers to when a TV show, book series, or movie series hints at a non-hetero romantic relationship between two characters but never explicitly shows that relationship. In these instances, LGBTQ-positive audience members may feel the story "baited" them into expecting something it never delivered.
The term can also be used to refer to:
Some examples of queerbaiting
While many commonly-cited examples of queerbaiting are arguable, some notable instances include:
Some shows, such as Adventure Time and The Legend of Korra, were accused of queerbaiting right up until their finales, in which non-hetero characters finally directly expressed their love for each other on-screen.