Straight/Cis actors playing LGBT roles?

[Tom4784]

What's your view on it? There's been a steady number of controversies over the years with outrage aimed at straight or cis actors playing these roles (For example, Scarlet Johansen stepped down from a trans role, Nick Robinson was criticised for playing the lead in Love, Simon and Darren Criss has said recently that he won't play any more gay characters after ACS) do you think the controversy and anger is warranted?

For me I think it's a silly thing to get angry about and to do so is basically an attempt to limit the art form and segregate what people can do based on their gender and sexuality. There's also a hypocrisy angle since, especially recently with trans, I recall a movement where trans actors wanted to be cast in roles that weren't trans. I think you've got to have it one way or the other, either anyone can play any sexuality or gender or everyone has to stick to their own. I prefer the former tbh.

I also see it get compared to blackface a lot which I think is a ridiculous comparison, dousing people in makeup to make them look like a different ethnicity will always seem like mockery but I think as long as an actor can understand and empathise with what it's like to be LGBT then there's nothing stopping a straight/cis actor playing these roles.

It comes across as outrage for the sake of outrage tbh.

[UserSince2005]

I love when straight guys play gay guys in porn. Thats the best porn.

[Cherie]

Agree with you Dezzy the point of being an actor is that you can take on a role and protray it well, you dont have to be a boxer to protray that role for example, you need dedication and to do your research whatever sexual orientation you are

[Daniel-X]

Agree with a lot of what you’ve said Dezzy. I can see the angle that these certain groups may be taking but it just reeks of hypocrisy. If straight/cis actors shouldn’t be acting in these roles according to some then neither should LGBT members be playing straight/cis roles. The way I see it is tit for tat. Everyone should (and would in an ideal world) be equal and be able to do as they wish, with no stigma attached to it.

[Lostie!]

I think it's a bizarre thing to be bothered by. People are just desperate to show how apparently "progressive" and morally superior they think they are and wind up looking like morons in the process.

LGBT actors should have the right to play roles outside of that so why should the same not stand the other way round?

[Tom4784]

I think it's a bizarre thing to be bothered by. People are just desperate to show how apparently "progressive" and morally superior they think they are and wind up looking like morons in the process.

LGBT actors should have the right to play roles outside of that so why should the same not stand the other way round?

It's honestly something that bothers me to no end and why, although I'm still very liberal, that I've turned away from the left and consider myself more centre. It's just getting more extreme in response to the right and the prevalent attitudes undercuts the progress that's been made.

Being progressive isn't a competition and all that attitude does is risk how far we've come.

[arista]

Who ever is best for the Job
If they can act gay, and get more viewers
USE Them

[Oliver_W]

If people could only play their own sexuality, broadway would shut down!

But yeah, nothing matters less than the sexuality of a character in relation to the actor. Nick Robinson gave a good performance as Simon, can you imagine if the lump of wood that is Darren Criss had been cast? If they look the part and can act, that should come waaaay before their LGBTness

[Denver]

The best person for the job always.

It's not the actors fault if the LGBT community feel underrepresented.

[Gstar]

It’s about the role and how they portray the character. If their performance makes a difference to someones life that’s all that matters

[Smithy]

I think it’s stupid, gay people are still being represented in the film in the first place which is what counts.

If a big name is needed as a draw for people then so be it, rather more people are “exposed” to it bc they go and see it for a certain actor than a gay nobody

[Toy Soldier]

I have attached think the main issue is that you really have to pick one or the other; if only gay people can play gay characters, then only straight people can play straight characters, surely? And (I would guess) there are more gay actors playing straight characters than vice versa.

Acting is acting I guess, that's the point. The character isn't the actor... So their sexual orientation and all other aspects of their character are totally unimportant. The character is an entity in their own right.

[Toy Soldier]

That said... I would probably draw the line at a straight actor portraying a very effeminate gay character. It seems unlikely that many could do that accurately or sensitively...

[Oliver_W]

That said... I would probably draw the line at a straight actor portraying a very effeminate gay character. It seems unlikely that many could do that accurately or sensitively...

Depends, if it's for a comedy/comical effect it would be okay.

[Firewire]

Depends, if it's for a comedy/comical effect it would be okay.

No it wouldn’t because campness isn’t comedy

[Oliver_W]

No it wouldn’t because campness isn’t comedy

Not inherently, but it can be.

[Jordan.]

I love when straight guys play gay guys in porn. Thats the best porn.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CWAdN3kXIAAvYPS.jpg

[Amy Jade]

So long as the actor plays the role well there should be no problem.

[Toy Soldier]

I'd watch a remake of Brokeback starring Graham Norton and Alan Carr though.

[Twosugars]

I could re-enact Brokeback with you TS :)

[Mokka]

That said... I would probably draw the line at a straight actor portraying a very effeminate gay character. It seems unlikely that many could do that accurately or sensitively...

How do you feel about this guy?
The height of his career success is due to a 10+ year stint acting as a camp gay guy on one of the most popular American sitcoms... and he's won multiple awards for that role??

http://liverampup.com/uploads/images/celebrity/Eric%20Stonestreet%20and%20girlfriend%20Lindsay%20 Schweitzer.jpg

[Toy Soldier]

I could re-enact Brokeback with you TS :)I'm sorry 2S it has to be either two authentic gay men, or two straight men who are fantastic actors. It's going to have to be me and Alf :umm2:.

I considered LT but he's a power bi.

[Cherie]

How do you feel about this guy?
The height of his career success is due to a 10+ year stint acting as a camp gay guy on one of the most popular American sitcoms... and he's won multiple awards for that role??

http://liverampup.com/uploads/images/celebrity/Eric%20Stonestreet%20and%20girlfriend%20Lindsay%20 Schweitzer.jpg

I didn’t realise he was straight, fantastic actor

[Niamh.]

Why not? Its acting - pretending

[Toy Soldier]

How do you feel about this guy?

The height of his career success is due to a 10+ year stint acting as a camp gay guy on one of the most popular American sitcoms... and he's won multiple awards for that role??



http://liverampup.com/uploads/images/celebrity/Eric%20Stonestreet%20and%20girlfriend%20Lindsay%20 Schweitzer.jpgJust gna b honest and say I have no idea who that is :umm2:...

[Oliver_W]

Just gna b honest and say I have no idea who that is :umm2:...
Someone who's
a straight actor portraying a very effeminate gay character.
and has been for a long time, apparently

[Smithy]

Just gna b honest and say I have no idea who that is :umm2:...

How have you never seen modern family :skull:

[Toy Soldier]

I was going to use Ruby Rhod as an OK example of a straight actor playing a camp gay character but then remembered that Ruby is actually straight :think:. So there are camp straight characters which opens up a whole new can of gay worms.

[Cherie]

Just gna b honest and say I have no idea who that is :umm2:...

You have never seen Modern Family....get watching!

[Toy Soldier]

You have never seen Modern Family.... get watching!

I'm never going to watch it now because I have oppositional defiant disorder :hmph:

[Twosugars]

I'm sorry 2S it has to be either two authentic gay men, or two straight men who are fantastic actors. It's going to have to be me and Alf :umm2:.

I considered LT but he's a power bi.

Hard to get, aren't you...I like that about you, it will make the eventual conquest so much sweeter :smug:

oh, and I'd suggest Parm ;)

[Mokka]

I'm never going to watch it now because I have oppositional defiant disorder :hmph:

I bet TS is now binge watching this show and is already on season 5. :smug:

[Cherie]

Is this a first, where everyone who posted was in agreement :omgno:

[Toy Soldier]

I bet TS is now binge watching this show and is already on season 5. :smug:

:joker: I did download the first season, and watched two episodes. It's alright... I wouldn't say it's anything to write home about... watchable though, something I'd probably watch in the kitchen on the tablet when cooking or something :hee:.


[edited to add]

Funnily enough though, I do find the larger gay guy (I can't remember any names) to be a slightly needless over-the-top stereotype so far. And he's the only character that I think that about, sooo.

[GoldHeart]

How do you feel about this guy?
The height of his career success is due to a 10+ year stint acting as a camp gay guy on one of the most popular American sitcoms... and he's won multiple awards for that role??

http://liverampup.com/uploads/images/celebrity/Eric%20Stonestreet%20and%20girlfriend%20Lindsay%20 Schweitzer.jpg

I genuinely thought he was gay in real life , just shows what a good actor he is i guess :shrug: .