1. where queerbaiting notes fictional characters and relationships in media (shows, books, films, etc.), gayfishing notes real people who capitalize off lgbt culture and aesthetics while leaving their sexuality ambiguous knowing it increases their marketability
2. pretending to be gay when you’re actually straight
— i.e. irl queerbaiting and though borrowed from ‘catfishing’, it has nothing to do with pretending to be another person
person a: harry styles needs to give the gayfishing a rest
person b: just wait until you learn about fanservice in the bl industry
A similar concept to Blackfishing, gayfishing is when a straight or straight-passing male appropriates gay culture to appear more edgy or cool. An example of this is men who paint their nails (a color other than black) and get praise, whereas if a gay male did the same thing they would get slurs thrown at them.