Should heterosexual actors play LGBTQ roles in TV and film?

[Daniel-X]

I’ve never really thought much about this until recently, but it doesn’t sit right with me anymore in 2021 that a large portion of queer roles in film and TV still go to heterosexual actors. LGBTQ people are either parodied in a costume type way (see: James Corden’s horribly offensive performance in that Netflix film) or literally reduced to just straight-acting gays with little reference to gay culture or actual queer stories.

It’s erasing actual queer actors from the industry and reducing job opportunities. There are probably 100 heterosexual roles to every LGBT role. It’s not the equivalent to blackface but it’s pretty prejudiced and a bit shocking in 2021 that it’s still so commonplace.

What’s everyone else’s opinion on this?

[UserSince2005]

Merge this with the last convo, of many convos

[Cherie]

Do you need to be a serial killer to play one, the clues in the name...actor

[Daniel-X]

Do you need to be a serial killer to play one, the clues in the name...actor

I’m sure you wouldn’t be saying the same if a man was playing a woman.

[user104658]

We did this thread recently :think:. I can't remember what I said at the time. My current thoughts are that sexuality is complicated so I don't think sexuality should be a barrier to which actors get which parts - after all, I imagine many (most?) gay actors would be pretty hacked off if they were told they could no longer play straight characters.

However I do think people casting roles should be wary of "immitating personality traits". Not all gay people are camp, so I don't think it's an issue for a straight actor to be playing a character whose personality matches their own but just happens to have a different sexual preference, but I *do* think it's an issue for straight actors to... umm... "camp face"(?) and immitate stereotypically "gay character traits" that are not actually part of their own personality. Just find an actor that better matches the character.

[Cherie]

I’m sure you wouldn’t be saying the same if a man was playing a woman.

A man playing a woman, do you mean a transwoman playing a woman, because I would have no issue as long as they played the part well :shrug:

and men play women every year in panto

[user104658]

A man playing a woman, do you mean a transwoman playing a woman, because I would have no issue as long as they played the part well :shrug:

and men play women every year in panto

It's a bit of a tradition in certain stage scenarios I thing - e.g. I've seen a few "Robin Hood" pantomimes over the years and I've yet to see one where Robin Hood wasn't played by a woman :think:. My daughter's school even put on a performance of "Robin and the Sherwood Hoodies" (lol) a few years ago and Robin was a P7 girl.

[_Seth]

Well the point of acting is to pretend to be someone who you are not, so no it doesn't matter at all. It would be discrimination to not hire someone because of their sexuality, even if they can do the role, and that should not be acceptable to anyone.It’s erasing actual queer actors from the industry and reducing job opportunities.

There are probably 100 heterosexual roles to every LGBT role.

Is it really? I don't think it is.

Probably because there are 100 heterosexual people for every LGBT person.

[Cherie]

It's a bit of a tradition in certain stage scenarios I thing - e.g. I've seen a few "Robin Hood" pantomimes over the years and I've yet to see one where Robin Hood wasn't played by a woman :think:. My daughter's school even put on a performance of "Robin and the Sherwood Hoodies" (lol) a few years ago and Robin was a P7 girl.

well yes obviously the Principal boy is always a woman :laugh:

Mrs Doubtfire is universally loved, a man playing a woman

but apparently I would hate that?

[Niamh.]

A man playing a woman, do you mean a transwoman playing a woman, because I would have no issue as long as they played the part well :shrug:

and men play women every year in panto

Don't forget Drag Race, isn't that a load of men pretending to be women too? There's no up roar about that either :shrug:

[Cherie]

Don't forget Drag Race, isn't that a load of men pretending to be women too? There's no up roar about that either :shrug:

No I haven't heard anything but again praise for that show

[Oliver_W]

Of course it doesn't matter.

Should there be an LGBT test to allow actors to play a role? What if an LGBT actor isn't out?

[Braden]

How would it be measured? Would an agent be required to ask every auditionee what their sexuality is and do checks to ensure they are gay? It’s just bizarre, IMO

.

[Smithy]

Don't forget Drag Race, isn't that a load of men pretending to be women too? There's no up roar about that either :shrug:

No it isn’t and that a really really dumb comparison

[Niamh.]

No it isn’t and that a really really dumb comparison

What do you mean it isn't? What is it then? I don't watch the show but that's what I thought a Drag act was, men dressing up as women for their act? Jesus Christ, is that offensive now as well?

[Smithy]

It didn’t used to bother me, but I read a really good interview with Russel t Davies after it’s a sin came out that changed my mind

For Davies, the issue is less about authenticity than about equity for gay actors, who he says have been systematically excluded from straight roles. And since there are so many more straight roles than gay ones, he thinks it isn’t right to make gay actors compete against their straight counterparts to play gay characters.

“It is not a fair playing field,” Davies said. “The equality notion is based on 50 percent this way, 50 percent that way. But 90 percent of actors are straight and 10 percent of parts are gay.”

[Marsh.]

Most of Hollywood are closeted gays playing straight so it's neither here nor there.

If you believe rumours. :smug:

[Tom4784]

It's not something I care about that much tbh, there's also the risk that if you say, for example, that only gay people can play gay roles, it opens up the idea of pigeon holing gay actors into gay roles, and so on and so forth. When it comes to sexualities, as long as it's handled sensitively and tastefully (IE not like Jack Whitehall in Jungle Cruise or James Corden in Prom), I'm fine with straight actors playing LGBT roles. It's more about whether or not they have the talent to portray the character well than anything else.

When it comes to trans people, it's trickier, especially considering that one thing I hear a lot from trans people is that they don't just want to play trans roles, but on the other hand trans people are passed over by cis actors in trans roles quite often as well. It's a case by case thing really. Trans roles should ideally be played by trans people, but it's a two way street, trans people should be able to play cis roles as well.

For me, ultimately, it's more important that our stories are being told. Love, Simon got some controversy because a straight person played Simon, but tbh, it was nice having an LGBT film that was neither an unceasing tragedy, or just an endless parade of nudity and sex scenes. I want more LGBT stories that don't highlight the tragedy of us (although, admittedly, we are a people whose history is routed in it), or reduce us to just edgy sex scenes.

[Oliver_W]

It didn’t used to bother me, but I read a really good interview with Russel t Davies after it’s a sin came out that changed my mind

Are LGBT actors really being excluded from straight roles? Tell that to Kate McKinnon, Jodie Foster, Lily Tomlin, Zachary Quinto, Neil Patrick Harris, John Barrowman ...

[smudgie]

The best actor for the job for me.

[Cherie]

I think alot of actors whatever their sexuality would say they are being blocked from getting roles, its seems to very much the same people in vogue at the moment, I think this is something that is ongoing a bit like ITV using 'the family' for literally every programme

[bots]

the criteria for an actor getting a role should be based on how well they meet the director/producers vision of the role. Nothing else is important

[thesheriff443]

The best actor for the job for me.

Plus one.

[Niamh.]

It's not something I care about that much tbh, there's also the risk that if you say, for example, that only gay people can play gay roles, it opens up the idea of pigeon holing gay actors into gay roles, and so on and so forth. When it comes to sexualities, as long as it's handled sensitively and tastefully (IE not like Jack Whitehall in Jungle Cruise or James Corden in Prom), I'm fine with straight actors playing LGBT roles. It's more about whether or not they have the talent to portray the character well than anything else.

When it comes to trans people, it's trickier, especially considering that one thing I hear a lot from trans people is that they don't just want to play trans roles, but on the other hand trans people are passed over by cis actors in trans roles quite often as well. It's a case by case thing really. Trans roles should ideally be played by trans people, but it's a two way street, trans people should be able to play cis roles as well.

For me, ultimately, it's more important that our stories are being told. Love, Simon got some controversy because a straight person played Simon, but tbh, it was nice having an LGBT film that was neither an unceasing tragedy, or just an endless parade of nudity and sex scenes. I want more LGBT stories that don't highlight the tragedy of us (although, admittedly, we are a people whose history is routed in it), or reduce us to just edgy sex scenes.

Plus as Braden pointed out already, you'd be asking people to declare or prove their sexuality as well. What if you'd rather not say what your sexual orientation is? Or what if you're bisexual, are you allowed play a gay character then? Or a straight one?

I do get the point on the overly camp thing, it can come across like taking the piss or making a caricature of gay men

[Cal.]

I probably don’t watch enough television to bring an actual balanced view to the topic, but I watch a lot of soaps, and the trend within them now to just cast straight actors to play gay characters and completely erase any part of gay culture from them besides having them snog a member of the same sex because it’s hot is ridiculous. It’s treating gay people like they are unattractive and unacceptable unless they conform to the characteristics and mannerisms of their straight counterparts. I wasn’t even shocked to learn that LGBT tolerance has apparently gone down in this country in the last few years if stuff like that is happening widespread. People are going to start having the attitude of ‘Oh well I only accept gay people if they act like a straight person’ etc etc.

[Liam-]

Of course, people shouldn’t be pigeonholed into roles they can or can’t play because of their sexuality, acting is a job and whoever is best for the job, should get the job, it’s about making the best possible product, not making the best possible product with the person who best fitted a certain description

[Marsh.]

I probably don’t watch enough television to bring an actual balanced view to the topic, but I watch a lot of soaps, and the trend within them now to just cast straight actors to play gay characters and completely erase any part of gay culture from them besides having them snog a member of the same sex because it’s hot is ridiculous. It’s treating gay people like they are unattractive and unacceptable unless they conform to the characteristics and mannerisms of their straight counterparts. I wasn’t even shocked to learn that LGBT tolerance has apparently gone down in this country in the last few years if stuff like that is happening widespread. People are going to start having the attitude of ‘Oh well I only accept gay people if they act like a straight person’ etc etc.

Yeah, the soaps put gay couples together to titilate to audience members who get off on seeing two straight blokes kissing.

No offence to Rob of course.

[Braden]

It's not something I care about that much tbh, there's also the risk that if you say, for example, that only gay people can play gay roles, it opens up the idea of pigeon holing gay actors into gay roles, and so on and so forth. When it comes to sexualities, as long as it's handled sensitively and tastefully (IE not like Jack Whitehall in Jungle Cruise or James Corden in Prom), I'm fine with straight actors playing LGBT roles. It's more about whether or not they have the talent to portray the character well than anything else.

When it comes to trans people, it's trickier, especially considering that one thing I hear a lot from trans people is that they don't just want to play trans roles, but on the other hand trans people are passed over by cis actors in trans roles quite often as well. It's a case by case thing really. Trans roles should ideally be played by trans people, but it's a two way street, trans people should be able to play cis roles as well.

For me, ultimately, it's more important that our stories are being told. Love, Simon got some controversy because a straight person played Simon, but tbh, it was nice having an LGBT film that was neither an unceasing tragedy, or just an endless parade of nudity and sex scenes. I want more LGBT stories that don't highlight the tragedy of us (although, admittedly, we are a people whose history is routed in it), or reduce us to just edgy sex scenes.

I think that's the main bullet point for me.

For example, one of my favourite films from last year was Boys in the Band. The recent movie and the 1970 version are known for having an all-gay ensemble. It's a story written by a gay man, depicting the lives of gay men. Would it have been equally as enjoyable with a straight cast? I'm not sure. Would it have weirded me out if straight men played the characters? Maybe.

However, there seems to be a lot of politically correct rhetoric, making this an issue when the content and depiction of gay characters is probably more important than the actors playing them. Not to mention the whole process would muddy the waters for everyone in terms of ethics.

[Ammi]

...just touching on James Corden in The Prom, who has been mentioned...?..and his performance of Barry was described as ‘disgusting’ because of the ‘stereotype’ that Barry’s character was ....or was it that James portrayed him as that stereotype...it was such a controversial casting, anyway ...I watched the movie and his portrayal wasn’t the greatest but at the same time, his character was actually quite endearing as well, I did like the character...I might watch it again, actually...but his performance was termed as ‘offensive’ ...but then if he had been LGBTQ, surely he would have still given the same performance and portrayal of. Barry...so would ‘offensive/disgusting’ etc not have applied then also because he would be seen as portraying his own sexuality...?...what I’m thinking as well is that Rupert Everett as a LGBTQ person portraying George, an LGBTQ person in My Best Friend’s Wedding was also surely a very ‘stereotypically portrayed’ character and his performance didn't get criticism so far as I recall...

[Ammi]

I think that's the main bullet point for me.

For example, one of my favourite films from last year was Boys in the Band. The recent movie and the 1970 version are known for having an all-gay ensemble. It's a story written by a gay man, depicting the lives of gay men. Would it have been equally as enjoyable with a straight cast? I'm not sure. Would it have weirded me out if straight men played the characters? Maybe.

However, there seems to be a lot of politically correct rhetoric, making this an issue when the content and depiction of gay characters is probably more important than the actors playing them. Not to mention the whole process would muddy the waters for everyone in terms of ethics.

...I was just actually thinking of that movie myself, Braden...:laugh:...one of the things about the movie was that it was an all LGBTQ cast, which was a huge unique thing about it an all LGBTQ cast playing all LGBTQ characters...but would any of the characters have worked just as well with some non LGBTQ actors also... that’s a really interesting one and I honestly don’t know because the cast is so utterly perfect exactly as they are...

[Ammi]

...what I’m trying to say is that ‘stereotypical can be portrayed within LGBTQ as well, so I think the criticism of James Corden particularly might have been a quite a bit harsh, from me as well...because it was mainly because he was ‘straight playing gay’....

[Braden]

...I was just actually thinking of that movie myself, Braden...:laugh:...one of the things about the movie was that it was an all LGBTQ cast, which was a huge unique thing about it an all LGBTQ cast playing all LGBTQ characters...but would any of the characters have worked just as well with some non LGBTQ actors as also... that’s a really interesting one and I honestly don’t know because the cast is so utterly perfect exactly as they are...

I completely agree! I'm glad I thought about the film because it allowed me to form a bit of nuance to my opinion. It's a really special and unique film because of the cast.

[Kazanne]

If someone is an 'actor. then it doesnt matter who plays the part as they take on that part and act.

[_Seth]

Would it have been equally as enjoyable with a straight cast? I'm not sure.
If the straight actors were talented enough to portray the roles well then why would it matter?
...just touching on James Corden in The Prom, who has been mentioned...?..and his performance of Barry was described as ‘disgusting’ because of the ‘stereotype’ that Barry’s character was ....or was it that James portrayed him as that stereotype...it was such a controversial casting, anyway ...I watched the movie and his portrayal wasn’t the greatest but at the same time, his character was actually quite endearing as well, I did like the character...I might watch it again, actually...but his performance was termed as ‘offensive’ ...but then if he had been LGBTQ, surely he would have still given the same performance and portrayal of. Barry...so would ‘offensive/disgusting’ etc not have applied then also because he would be seen as portraying his own sexuality...?...what I’m thinking as well is that Rupert Everett as a LGBTQ person portraying George, an LGBTQ person in My Best Friend’s Wedding was also surely a very ‘stereotypically portrayed’ character and his performance didn't get criticism so far as I recall...

This is where it just gets over complicated for no reason. Plus, the public are fickle as hell so I would expect their opinion on this to waver based on the actor.

At any rate, how would casting directors verify if someone even is gay? What if they're unsure and still discovering themselves? Can bisexual people play gay roles?

How about we just let the best actors play the roles they audition for, or is that seriously unreasonable?

Side note regarding gay stereotypes - as a person in the gay community I can confirm that the utterly vast majority of gay men are extremely effeminate and present in a very feminine manner. (Which is fair enough, but unfortunately when I'm gay I have very little choice because I'm not attracted to men who act like women, as much as I would happily be friends with them. :laugh: )

[Shaun]

I am indifferent on this subject. I think there needs to be more of the reverse (gay actors playing straight, or indeed gay actors playing gay) to balance the scales... trans actors in particular, too. Pretty much every "big" trans role in history has gone to cisgendered men or women (Jared Leto in Dallas Buyers Club, Jeffrey Tambor in Transparent, Eddie Redmayne in The Danish Girl, Hillary Swank in Boys Don't Cry, Cameron Diaz in Being John Malkovich, Felicity Huffman in Transamerica.). I had to stretch to remember some of those because there really haven't been that many roles in film... we might be getting more nowadays but if you take a look at this list from Wikipedia, of "films about transgender characters" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Films_about_trans_women), the majority of those included are horribly offensive and outdated comedy roles in films like American Pie, Dude Where's My Car?, etc. (where the butt of the joke is a straight guy being "tricked" by a trans woman)

That said, should no straight actor ever be allowed to play gay ever again? No, of course not. Especially if they're a great actor. The question is... how many great trans/queer actors are being passed over for a more marketable lead?

Don't forget Drag Race, isn't that a load of men pretending to be women too? There's no up roar about that either :shrug:

Out of about 150 competitors there've probably been about 20 trans women, 1 trans man, and a bunch more that're non-binary... so no it isn't just that :laugh:

[Braden]

If the straight actors were talented enough to portray the roles well then why would it matter?

It shouldn't, but as I said before, the film was unique because it was an all-gay ensemble that perfectly played their roles written by a gay man.

That's not to say films written/produced by straight men aren't as good. Philadelphia and Moonlight are two of my favourite films depicting gay men/culture, and the leads were played by straight men too. It doesn't make them any less special, but I thought the above example was interesting and provided a bit of nuance to the debate.

[Niamh.]

Out of about 150 competitors there've probably been about 20 trans women, 1 trans man, and a bunch more that're non-binary... so not is isn't just that :laugh:

Well like I said I don't watch it, that's just what I assumed,(although still the vast majority are men pretending to be women according to those figures) my daughter loves it though. I do take Smithys point about it not being a good comparison since it's a Reality/Talent show more than an acting role as such

[Ammi]

If the straight actors were talented enough to portray the roles well then why would it matter?


This is where it just gets over complicated for no reason. Plus, the public are fickle as hell so I would expect their opinion on this to waver based on the actor.

At any rate, how would casting directors verify if someone even is gay? What if they're unsure and still discovering themselves? Can bisexual people play gay roles?

How about we just let the best actors play the roles they audition for, or is that seriously unreasonable?

Side note regarding gay stereotypes - as a person in the gay community I can confirm that the utterly vast majority of gay men are extremely effeminate and present in a very feminine manner. (Which is fair enough, but unfortunately when I'm gay I have very little choice because I'm not attracted to men who act like women, as much as I would happily be friends with them. :laugh: )


...I’m thinking it depends largely on the movie type as well and obviously the character being portrayed because both in The Prom with Barry and My Best Friend’s Wedding with George...they are both surely meant to be played as a kind of ‘stereotype’ characters..?...but what I find interesting is that Rupert didn’t get the criticism ...(...and actually it was really bad/controversial) stuff that James did...

[user104658]

Out of about 150 competitors there've probably been about 20 trans women, 1 trans man, and a bunch more that're non-binary... so not is isn't just that :laugh:

I meeeaaan... if we're being accurate, RuPaul's own vision of Drag Race was always that it was for biologically male gay men who liked to perform in drag, and that physical alterations were essentially cheating. He was bullied into a U-turn on issue of trans contestants through community backlash in fairly recent years. Trying to pretend otherwise is just revisionism.

[Oliver_W]

Out of about 150 competitors there've probably been about 20 trans women, 1 trans man, and a bunch more that're non-binary... so not is isn't just that :laugh:

So apart from the transman, they were all biologically male?

[Shaun]

Not even going to dignify that with a response, Oliver.

I meeeaaan... if we're being accurate, RuPaul's own vision of Drag Race was always that it was for biologically male gay men who liked to perform in drag, and that physical alterations were essentially cheating. He was bullied into a U-turn on issue of trans contestants through community backlash in fairly recent years. Trying to pretend otherwise is just revisionism.

I'm not pretending anything; some of the trans competitors were on the very first couple of seasons* so it isn't revisionism at all. I won't defend RuPaul himself because he's definitely made comments in the past that allude to the idea of a "this is a show, this is men putting on a costume" competition but the show is more than just him and his ideals.

*Sonique (series 2), Stacy and Carmen (series 3), Jiggly Caliente and Kenya Michaels (series 4). Granted, they've transitioned after the show - or gone public with it anyway - but to just write the whole series off as men pretending to be women is... short-sighted.

[Oliver_W]

Not even going to dignify that with a response, Oliver.

What's wrong with calling something by what it is :shrug:

[Captain.Remy]

The way I see it is that all actors should be on the same level playing field from the start and let the talent speak for itself.

However though, LGBTQ actors have less chances of being hired regardless of the sexuality of the role. It's a question of visibility and breaking down barriers that prevent them from being considered for their talent only. There's a whole prejudice in this industry such as casting directors not even considering a LGBTQ actor to play a LGBTQ role because "they're too femme" and by fear it won't appeal to the general public for instance.
Trans actors are passed over by cis actors in trans roles too, so that's another level of injustice felt.
So I don't think we should forbid heterosexual actors to play LGBTQ roles, but there's definitely a need for change and awareness for all actors to be considered equally.

There are so many great LGBTQ actors out there who are waiting to be discovered and are as much talented as their heterosexual counterparts. It's a shame we're not able to see them doing what they love and are good at just because of stereotypes and prejudice.

[Alf]

Whoever the producer chooses to play the part should be the person to play the part. Everybody else should mind their own business or make your own programme where you get to choose who plays the parts.

[Mitchell]

It's not something I care about that much tbh, there's also the risk that if you say, for example, that only gay people can play gay roles, it opens up the idea of pigeon holing gay actors into gay roles, and so on and so forth. When it comes to sexualities, as long as it's handled sensitively and tastefully (IE not like Jack Whitehall in Jungle Cruise or James Corden in Prom), I'm fine with straight actors playing LGBT roles. It's more about whether or not they have the talent to portray the character well than anything else.

When it comes to trans people, it's trickier, especially considering that one thing I hear a lot from trans people is that they don't just want to play trans roles, but on the other hand trans people are passed over by cis actors in trans roles quite often as well. It's a case by case thing really. Trans roles should ideally be played by trans people, but it's a two way street, trans people should be able to play cis roles as well.

For me, ultimately, it's more important that our stories are being told. Love, Simon got some controversy because a straight person played Simon, but tbh, it was nice having an LGBT film that was neither an unceasing tragedy, or just an endless parade of nudity and sex scenes. I want more LGBT stories that don't highlight the tragedy of us (although, admittedly, we are a people whose history is routed in it), or reduce us to just edgy sex scenes.

I agree with most of this, as much as I enjoyed the series, I had a real problem with Love Victor not having one single LGBTQ+ representative in the entire main cast, whilst I don’t think gay roles should be restricted to gay people, there should at least be some opportunities for LGBTQ+ actors, not casting any is a bit ****ty.

[Vicky.]

I think as long as its not like..obvious parodies I don't see the issue.

Its a bit problematic when it comes to trans parts though as..it seems offensive to have a 'cis' person playing a transperson. I think this would matter more with a transwoman role being taken by a man tbh, than the other way. It would be potentially problematic for a woman to play a transwoman also, or a man playing a transman. But, there are not many (openly anyway) transpeople in acting, so the few trans actors would be kind of typecast into certain roles, and also..if theres much fuss over trans roles, then surely transpeople should also not play 'cis' roles. Or something.

Ultimately though, actors are actors. They don't need to BE the same as the role they are playing. But I can certainly see where, especially in the current climate, casting trans roles could be an issue. I don't really see the same issue with gay/lesbian/bi roles. And I think sometimes NOT casting on minority issues, probably opens more doors for minority actors than it closes? And really, there are few times I could see that sexuality might be a main part of any role for a film to start with? Netflix seem to be doing really well on that issue, where they have LGBT actors without making their sexuality a main part of the character..if that makes sense? Its refreshing actually, to just see gay relationships happen on screen without the huge 'omg are they arent they?' stuff that usually goes along with gay characters? Not sure I am explaining that right. But netflix stuff especially seems to have much more representation for minorities (not just LGBT, but also BAME characters) than other areas anyway..

[Ninastar]

I don’t see it as an issue, honestly. Gay actors have had to act straight for years and it’s just acting. If an actor is only allowed to use what they ‘are’ as a person, surely that is problematic in itself?

For example, can you only ever be a black straight female if that’s how you were born? Or can you use your acting abilities to play a role that could be meaningful to thousands of people?

[GoldHeart]

I’m sure you wouldn’t be saying the same if a man was playing a woman.

But Daniel THAT has happened in movies

[Niamh.]

I agree with most of this, as much as I enjoyed the series, I had a real problem with Love Victor not having one single LGBTQ+ representative in the entire main cast, whilst I don’t think gay roles should be restricted to gay people, there should at least be some opportunities for LGBTQ+ actors, not casting any is a bit ****ty.Yeah I agree with that too

[Cal.]

I agree with most of this, as much as I enjoyed the series, I had a real problem with Love Victor not having one single LGBTQ+ representative in the entire main cast, whilst I don’t think gay roles should be restricted to gay people, there should at least be some opportunities for LGBTQ+ actors, not casting any is a bit ****ty.

Yeah, again I only really am knowledgeable about the soaps, but EastEnders for instance has the most LGBT characters it’s had in years in it at the moment, yet they just axed it’s only actual LGBT cast member but kept 5 who are straight actors playing LGBT characters. It’s just poor.

[Ammi]

...I was just reading this earlier so I thought I’d share it because it’s relevant to the topic and some thoughts from It’s A Sin Creator, Russell T Davies...


...I won’t post the whole article but I’ll pos5 the link if anyone wants to read the whole thing...



“My take is to cast gay as gay. Absolutely. I believe that profoundly. I think you not only get authenticity; you get revenge for 100 years of straight-washing”


NL: What’s your take on straight actors playing gay characters?

RTD: My take is to cast gay as gay. Absolutely. I believe that profoundly. I think you not only get authenticity; you get revenge for 100 years of straight-washing. I believe we have 40 or 50 gay speaking parts in It’s A Sin and they’re all played by gay actors. And actually, that’s very hard to do because you’re not allowed in an audition to ask someone whether they’re gay or not. And that’s a great rule: just as the head of Tesco can’t ask someone who wants to work on the shop floor whether they’re gay or not. Nonetheless, you can make it clear that you’re very open to openly gay actors coming in to audition. And then some smart voice will inevitably chime in with, ‘Well, you don’t mind gay actors playing straight.’ And I’ll tell you what, no, I don’t mind a gay actor playing straight. Because from the age of eight, gay people learn to fit in with the straight world and act straight. That’s something we know very profoundly in our hearts. So if you want a great performance, cast a gay actor as a straight man because he’s been studying how straight men behave for an awful long time.



https://www.anothermag.com/design-living/13057/its-a-sin-creator-russell-t-davies-channel-4-cast-trailer-review-interview

[Elliot]

A lot of the time it feels like a caricature. Honestly I don’t care but there are a surplus of lgbtq actors to give roles to if directors really wanted representation

[Oliver_W]

...I was just reading this earlier so I thought I’d share it because it’s relevant to the topic and some thoughts from It’s A Sin Creator, Russell T Davies...


...I won’t post the whole article but I’ll pos5 the link if anyone wants to read the whole thing...



“My take is to cast gay as gay. Absolutely. I believe that profoundly. I think you not only get authenticity; you get revenge for 100 years of straight-washing”


NL: What’s your take on straight actors playing gay characters?

RTD: My take is to cast gay as gay. Absolutely. I believe that profoundly. I think you not only get authenticity; you get revenge for 100 years of straight-washing. I believe we have 40 or 50 gay speaking parts in It’s A Sin and they’re all played by gay actors. And actually, that’s very hard to do because you’re not allowed in an audition to ask someone whether they’re gay or not. And that’s a great rule: just as the head of Tesco can’t ask someone who wants to work on the shop floor whether they’re gay or not. Nonetheless, you can make it clear that you’re very open to openly gay actors coming in to audition. And then some smart voice will inevitably chime in with, ‘Well, you don’t mind gay actors playing straight.’ And I’ll tell you what, no, I don’t mind a gay actor playing straight. Because from the age of eight, gay people learn to fit in with the straight world and act straight. That’s something we know very profoundly in our hearts. So if you want a great performance, cast a gay actor as a straight man because he’s been studying how straight men behave for an awful long time.



https://www.anothermag.com/design-living/13057/its-a-sin-creator-russell-t-davies-channel-4-cast-trailer-review-interview

It's not a "straight world", it's everyone's world :shrug:

[Tom4784]

It's not a "straight world", it's everyone's world :shrug:

Tell that to the people who get abused and/or killed for not being straight.

[Oliver_W]

Tell that to the people who get abused and/or killed for not being straight.

Okay, apart from places like Iran where they amputate gay men's genitals or elsewhere where gays get thrown off roofs etc...

It's everyone's world in the west!

[Tom4784]

Tell that to Eastern Europe in general, or basically everywhere, really, because hate crime is still a thing.

[user104658]

It's not a "straight world", it's everyone's world :shrug:

I feel this is very glass-half-full. It's no one's world but a tiny select few and that becomes increasingly obvious year-on-year.

[Oliver_W]

I feel this is very glass-half-full. It's no one's world but a tiny select few and that becomes increasingly obvious year-on-year.

Okay comrade ;)

[Marsh.]

you get revenge for 100 years of straight-washing

This is an issue with a lot of "minority issues" in that it's all extremes now where nobody's fighting for equality, they want revenge and one extreme or another.

It doesn't lead anywhere good.

[GoldHeart]

Straight people should still be allowed to play LGBTQ roles, it just depends how they portray them.

I've cringed at some roles , because the characters are either too annoyingly camp and ott flamboyant/ stereotypical to be laughed at basically and not taken seriously . Also there's not always a character development , it's either sexual or just bitchy and sassy cliché :rolleyes: .

[Oliver_W]

I feel this is very glass-half-full. It's no one's world but a tiny select few and that becomes increasingly obvious year-on-year.

Okay comrade ;)

Right that was low grade trolling on my part, I'm actually on your page there. I'm all for sticking it to The Man(tm). I'm not one of the Eat The Rich nutters, because everyone who happens to have money isn't quite The Man, but I'm still somewhat anti-authoritarian.

ALL THAT BEING SAID! It's my world as much as it is the straight guy's next door :shrug: In fact I have one more bedroom than him, so it's technically more my world than his!

[Livia]

If only gay actors can play gay roles then only heteros can play heterosexuals, surely. Otherwise it's highly unfair.

[Babayaro.]

I say yes, they should be allowed. But I wouldn’t say that the issue around it doesn’t matter.

[Babayaro.]

We did this thread recently :think:. I can't remember what I said at the time. My current thoughts are that sexuality is complicated so I don't think sexuality should be a barrier to which actors get which parts - after all, I imagine many (most?) gay actors would be pretty hacked off if they were told they could no longer play straight characters.

However I do think people casting roles should be wary of "immitating personality traits". Not all gay people are camp, so I don't think it's an issue for a straight actor to be playing a character whose personality matches their own but just happens to have a different sexual preference, but I *do* think it's an issue for straight actors to... umm... "camp face"(?) and immitate stereotypically "gay character traits" that are not actually part of their own personality. Just find an actor that better matches the character.

pretty much this

[Nicky91]

we got a gay actor portraying a heterosexual male on our soap series here in my country

[user104658]

I say yes, they should be allowed. But I wouldn’t say that the issue around it doesn’t matter.

I think that's a fair comment too; it shouldn't be "not allowed" but it also shouldn't be a "whatever" - there should be a level of awareness in making these casting decisions and the reasons for why someone is the best choice for the role...

My thinking I guess is that someone isn't defined by their sexuality so, for example, if someone is playing a character who is gay but the story is about a mental health struggle, then the best person for the role is someone who can accurately, sensitively and with understanding convey that mental health issue regardless of their sexuality.

On the other hand if (excuse the blunt term but) "gayness" or gay rights issues etc. are at the HEART of the story then it is probably approporiate to only cast gay actors who have that central to them - e.g. I would say "It's A Sin" for example clearly falls into that category.

So yeah overall I think it's not a "whatever, it doesn't matter" but at the same time, it's not a blanket "no" either - just something for casting directors to make sure they consider their reasoning on before casting.

[user104658]

we got a gay actor portraying a heterosexual male on our soap series here in my country

That's not unusual though, plenty of well known gay actors have played straight characters.