Why Claiming Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston Are Faking It Is Insulting

Twitter users, along with everyone else in the world, were shocked when U.K. tabloid, The Sun, published pictures of Taylor Swift and actor Tom Hiddleston kissing outside of her home in Rhode Island. These photos immediately caused reactions — both negative and positive —from fans all over the world. What is one of the more common reactions? That Swift and Hiddleston are faking it. But really, claiming Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston are faking it is so insulting.

First, some background (because this story actually gets a little complicated). By now, everyone knows that on Tuesday, The Sun released the photos and everyone went a little bit nuts over the photos — taking to Twitter to react accordingly. It was revealed that one fan fiction writer predicted the hook up, and it was not confirmed by either Swift or Hiddleston's camp that they are in fact dating.

But then the rumors and speculation started about Swift and Hiddleston's relationship. Twitter, Tumblr, and essentially everyone with an opinion started wondering whether or not the relationship was real, all for show, or a rebound for Taylor, who just broke up with DJ Calvin Harris two weeks ago. The Cut also speculated as to whether or not the photos were a divergence from a potential feud with Kim Kardashian. But regardless of what people think versus what the photos show, there are people out there who think Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston are faking it — and frankly, its insulting.

Why, exactly, is it insulting? Because it completely devalues every other relationship that Swift has had in the past. By saying that she is faking her relationship, you're saying that Taylor Swift can't date around and explore her options — denying her of her right to do so. Essentially, it is another form of slut shaming — shaming someone of staging photos and faking a relationship because they are romantically involved with someone new — someone that people might not want Swift to be with.

It shouldn't be up to us or fans of Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston to determine if they are dating. It shouldn't be up to us to determine whether or not those pictures taken on those rocks were of their first date or their fourth date — whether or not those pictures indicate a one night hook up or true love. It isn't up to us to speculate these things because at the end of the day, Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston are people with private lives.

Yes, we do have the right to speculate Swift's relationships because she and Hiddleston are both public figures, after all. But that is no excuse for people to devalue Swift's relationships with other men by calling them "song writing material" or the "subject of her new album." Taylor Swift is free to date who she wants and I hope she dates a lot of people until she finds the right person for her. But to immediately say that Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston are faking their relationship, just by looking at a series of photos taken on one day is frankly insulting.