Promoting a false stereotype that HIV only affects gays to his millions of teen fans is extremely dangerous. https://t.co/W6X9MUrgUK
— Tyler Oakley (@tyleroakley) July 6, 2014
Vine celebrity Nash Grier posted the disgusting video to his 8.7 million followers over the weekend. He quickly deleted it and hasn’t made any further comments regarding its sick message. The 16-year-old plays a clip of an anti-HIV discrimination ad, when the commercial states “It’s not a gay thing,” it abruptly cuts to Grier who yells “YES IT IS! FAG.” Nash, along with his brother, Hayes, have become Vine celebrities with short clips showing their childish pranks.
Here’s what you need to know about this shocking video:
1. The HIV Video Was Saved by a Fellow Internet Celebrity
Just before the video was deleted is was saved and reposted by YouTube celebrity Tyler Oakley. The star has since tweeted out twice to his legions of followers. In the second tweet, Oakley wrote “Call me and people like me, ‘fag’ all you want, but spreading false information about deadly diseases is next level.”
2. Twitter Users Have Been Attacking Nash
It’s promoted an online backlash against Nash Grier:
.@Nashgrier, one would think you would have learned from your past mistakes on the internet, but I guess not. Blaming HIV on "fags"? Wrong.
— Christopher Siglos (@ChrisYourWords) July 8, 2014
if you're actually defending nash grier's homophobic tweets and vine then don't talk to me
— joanna (@hecticpickle) July 8, 2014
So Nash Grier makes a bunch of homophobic tweets and all is forgiven bc he has blue eyes and was "young and immature" yeah okay
— Marie (@mariebold) July 8, 2014
3. His Only Response Has Been to Upload a Video About How to Deal With Haters
There’s been no official worth from Grier since the video went up and was deleted. The only post from the Vine star since the backlash began is an unfunny YouTube video detailing how one should deal with haters.
4. Nash Has Faced Hate Allegations Already This Year
Earlier this year, Grier faced accusations of misogyny. In a video posted in January 2014, Grier and friends created a video called “what guys look for in girls.” Throughout the video, he and his friends tell their millions upon millions of teenage girl followers what they like in girls. According to the fellas, a dream girl has to “get a personality,” “be spontaneous,” “don’t be too loud and obnoxious,” and “know how to be quiet.”
5. He Gains 100,000 Followers Each Year
Grier’s Vine account, that he shares with his brother Hayes, gains around 100,000 new followers per week, reports The Charlotte Observer. The brothers have fans in far flung places such as Australia and Saudi Arabia. At the times, the brothers have used the hashtag “#notaracist.” Their father, Chad, told the Observer about the videos, “Some are PG-13, but never R.”