if you’re trying to go against homophobia i’m afraid you can’t yell “queerbait” every time a celebrity who isn’t openly queer does something you consider fruity
if I may step on my soapbox for a second, may the success of Heated Rivalry prove that audiences of all kinds really do want queer romance content, that it's not niche, and that if you bet on it, it will be successful.
people who say “why do we need [fine arts, humanities degrees, mid-budget films] when they don’t make a ton of money?” are insufferable. why do we need chrysanthemums? why do we need bonfires or baleen whales or the color blue? we just do. we just do.