On the latest episode of “The Best Podcast Ever with Raven and Miranda,” Raven-Symoné told her former “The View” co-host, Whoopi Goldberg, she gave off “lesbian vibes.”

“Honestly, when I was around you, I loved you so much, like I just wanted to be up underneath the t—- the whole time,” Raven-Symoné revealed. “But that’s also because you just kind of gave me lesbian vibes!”

The host also added “you give me stud vibes” in the conversation. The Disney Channel alum’s wife, Miranda Maday chimed in saying she believes Raven wants everyone to be gay.

“I think this is a secret fantasy of Raven’s. I think she just wants everybody to be gay, and she’s just really hoping you’ll come out right here, right now,” Maday said.

The actress agreed and asked if Goldberg had anything to share. Goldberg detailed the misconception many have about her sexuality.

“Women have been asking me this for as long as I’ve been around. I am not a lesbian. But I know lots of them, and I’ve played them on television,” Goldberg responded. “But I have always had lesbian friends because they’re just my friends.”

Raven-Symoné applauded Goldberg’s transparency and her duality.

“There is something beautiful about a woman being able to embrace their masculine and feminine at the same time and wear it so well, like you do,” she said. “It’s fantastic. You’re not either one or the other. You’re just a human living in your body, and doesn’t really correlate to sexual orientation or any of that.” she continued.

Fans React to Raven-Symoné’s Comments

Although Goldberg effectively and gracefully handled their conversation about her sexuality, some fans promptly scrutinized Raven-Symoné’s presumptions.

“From my gay POV, I think Whoopi comes off as queer because she’s never dressed or styled herself for the male gaze which is uncommon for straight women,” one user wrote on a Reddit post about the conversation. “But it’s 100% unacceptable to push that on someone if they’re telling you that they’re not. Especially because for all they know the person they’re mentioning may be struggling with their sexuality and the last thing they need is the general public starting conversations around it.”

Fans agreed that Goldberg’s style and how she carries herself shouldn’t be associated with her sexuality.

“I feel like dressing modestly or for comfort often gets mistaken for queerness or asexuality. Because unless you’re performing a hyper-sexual black woman trope… you must be gay,” another user replied.

The Peril of Assuming One’s Sexuality

In a culture that can be homophobic, heterosexist, and biased, many internalize negative perceptions about homosexuality and same-sex attraction. Furthermore, the “male gaze” concept further complicates our understanding of sexuality. Rooted in film theory, the “male gaze” suggests that women are often portrayed in media through a heterosexual male perspective, leading viewers to perceive female relationships with a skewed understanding. It reinforces the idea that two women who are close friends must be romantically involved, even if this isn’t true.

Assuming someone’s sexuality can lead to harmful consequences for the individual and society. Raven-Symoné’s presumption regarding Whoopi Goldberg’s sexuality exemplifies such hazards. It underscores the potential pitfalls and embarrassments arising from making hasty judgments.

Our society should celebrate diverse sexual identities and understandings, ensuring everyone feels validated in their feelings and relationships. Making assumptions detracts from this mission and keeps us from reaching a more inclusive future.

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