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-   -   Should gay characters only be played by gay actors? (https://www.thisisbigbrother.com/forums/showthread.php?t=344497)

Tom4784 10-08-2018 08:58 PM

Should gay characters only be played by gay actors?
 
It's something I've noticed lately, backlashes against straight actors playing gay roles, it started with Nick Robinson in 'Love, Simon' and now it's come into play of sorts with Ruby Rose (who is, as far as I know, bisexual) who has recently been cast as Batwoman (who is a lesbian).

Personally I think it's ridiculous to limit actors in that way plus there's a level of hypocrisy there given that there would be a backlash if the situation was reversed as there's plenty said about gay actors being typecast for gay roles. I think the only time such limitations are right are in the cases of race, whitewashing should be a thing of the past. Even with transgender roles there should be some leeway if the character hasn't transitioned themselves, I think.

I think backlashes like the ones listed above hurt the cause more than it could ever help, it looks as thought the LGBT is cannibalising itselff and it gives ammunition to those that would hinder progress. Regardless of sexuality, everyone understands love and relationships and although a straight person can't truly understand what it's like to be part of the LGBT I think they can gleam a decent enough base understanding to portray a gay character. Plenty of straight actors have done it well already.

Lostie! 10-08-2018 09:01 PM

No, I actually think expecting actors to only play roles that correspond with their real life sexual orientation is absurd. People are so eager to be morally outraged.

Marsh. 10-08-2018 09:01 PM

No. I don't think there should be a limit. I draw the line at Caucasian actors putting on makeup to play Asian or black people obviously. But outside of ridiculous instances like that.

I can kind of understand the backlash against cis people playing transgender simply because transgender actors have so much fewer opportunities, so they should be afforded some of the much fewer available roles they have for them instead of having those taken too.

Matthew. 10-08-2018 09:02 PM

no what a load of rubbish, like lostie said, it’s as if people enjoy being offended nowadays

armand.kay 10-08-2018 09:05 PM

I don't have a problem with it because just as easily as a straight actor can play a gay character a gay character can also play a straight character. Unlike with whitewashing where there are already limited roles available for non white actors and making turning non white characters white is just a slap in the face.

Marsh. 10-08-2018 09:05 PM

They won't have an uproar over gay actors playing straight characters otherwise there'd be about 5 actors left. ;)

Twosugars 10-08-2018 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marsh. (Post 10135364)
They won't have an uproar over gay actors playing straight characters otherwise there'd be about 5 actors left. ;)

:laugh: true

JoshBB 10-08-2018 09:23 PM

I don't mind it personally. I mean, casting minorities in general is a good thing and something that needs to be worked on for equality reasons. Also, though, part of being a good actor is being able to portray different roles and that could include a sexuality. I remember people were offended when Eddie Redmayne played the transwoman in The Danish Girl & i genuinely see it as a non-issue.

Oliver_W 10-08-2018 09:23 PM

Ridiculous. If people could only play their own sexuality, the world of theatre would disappear for one thing!

Tom4784 10-08-2018 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marsh. (Post 10135353)
No. I don't think there should be a limit. I draw the line at Caucasian actors putting on makeup to play Asian or black people obviously. But outside of ridiculous instances like that.

I can kind of understand the backlash against cis people playing transgender simply because transgender actors have so much fewer opportunities, so they should be afforded some of the much fewer available roles they have for them instead of having those taken too.

I think though, at the same time, there's a lot of people speaking out that trans people get typecast in trans role and should be considered more often for cis roles but you can't have it both ways I don't think. In the case of Scarlet Johansen for example, the trans character she was originally going to play never actually transitioned so I personally don't see a problem with a cis female actress to play that role (someone like the actress who plays Boo in OITNB would fit perfectly) because for me, expecting a trans man to play a female character would be like expecting a cisgender male to pass for female, I just don't think it really works.

I think there's leeway when it comes to certain trans characters and not for others basically.

Tom4784 10-08-2018 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lostie! (Post 10135351)
No, I actually think expecting actors to only play roles that correspond with their real life sexual orientation is absurd. People are so eager to be morally outraged.

Yup, I honestly think the extreme sides of it will end up putting us all back years. It's kind of worrying how it seems that we're heading towards 'positive segregation' in some ways.

Alf 10-08-2018 09:36 PM

I think it should be up to the casting director who they cast, and everybody else should mind their own business.

pontyboi 10-08-2018 09:47 PM

If this was the case we never would have had Brokeback Mountain.

Case closed.

Greg! 10-08-2018 09:48 PM

Of course not. Straight people shouldn't only be portrayed by straights as well

Denver 10-08-2018 09:49 PM

I think its more of a problem that people expect the people who play gay characters to be gay

Ant. 10-08-2018 09:51 PM

if we had this silly rule the possibility of david tennant and ryan reynolds making out in gay rom com is impossible and we all don't want that to be impossible

Marsh. 10-08-2018 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dezzy (Post 10135419)
I think though, at the same time, there's a lot of people speaking out that trans people get typecast in trans role and should be considered more often for cis roles but you can't have it both ways I don't think. In the case of Scarlet Johansen for example, the trans character she was originally going to play never actually transitioned so I personally don't see a problem with a cis female actress to play that role (someone like the actress who plays Boo in OITNB would fit perfectly) because for me, expecting a trans man to play a female character would be like expecting a cisgender male to pass for female, I just don't think it really works.

I think there's leeway when it comes to certain trans characters and not for others basically.

Oh definitely. I just think until such a time that trans actors being cast as cis (obviously if it works, as you say it won't all the time but then all actors have parts they don't work well in) is more common, giving them more opportunities, I can understand having the small amount of roles they are suited to taken away can be a bit frustrating on their part.

But the actors taking those roles, like Scarlett Johansen, don't deserve anywhere near the sh*t they get for it.

I don't think it's actually offensive for a cis actor to play transgender or straight to play gay, but maybe unfair in trans case to take those limited roles.

user104658 10-08-2018 11:45 PM

I think gay actors should only play straight characters and straight actors should only play gay characters.

Just to keep everyone on their toes.

Epic. 10-08-2018 11:48 PM

Anyone who has watched Modern Family would know that Cameron is one of the funniest characters on the show, and the main reason is how well the actor does the role despite Cameron being gay and the actor being straight, and I'm sure there's plenty of other examples

Eddie. 11-08-2018 12:57 AM

As Long as they feel comfortable doing it...

jaxie 11-08-2018 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dezzy (Post 10135345)
It's something I've noticed lately, backlashes against straight actors playing gay roles, it started with Nick Robinson in 'Love, Simon' and now it's come into play of sorts with Ruby Rose (who is, as far as I know, bisexual) who has recently been cast as Batwoman (who is a lesbian).

Personally I think it's ridiculous to limit actors in that way plus there's a level of hypocrisy there given that there would be a backlash if the situation was reversed as there's plenty said about gay actors being typecast for gay roles. I think the only time such limitations are right are in the cases of race, whitewashing should be a thing of the past. Even with transgender roles there should be some leeway if the character hasn't transitioned themselves, I think.

I think backlashes like the ones listed above hurt the cause more than it could ever help, it looks as thought the LGBT is cannibalising itselff and it gives ammunition to those that would hinder progress. Regardless of sexuality, everyone understands love and relationships and although a straight person can't truly understand what it's like to be part of the LGBT I think they can gleam a decent enough base understanding to portray a gay character. Plenty of straight actors have done it well already.

I agree it is ridiculous to demand that actors only play roles to type. The whole idea of acting is being able to play a variety of characters who are not necessarily like you. Being type cast was always considered something to be avoided by actors in the past. These demands are an unpleasant form of bullying which needs to stop before more actors are forced out of roles that don't conform to type.

Headie 11-08-2018 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armand.kay (Post 10135362)
I don't have a problem with it because just as easily as a straight actor can play a gay character a gay character can also play a straight character. Unlike with whitewashing where there are already limited roles available for non white actors and making turning non white characters white is just a slap in the face.

This ^

Maru 11-08-2018 02:54 AM

No, identity politics is bad for our society and should've been left behind in the 90's/00's as it was not well thought out. If we allowed that type of logic to go much further, then do expect that people who are gay/etc will be told they cannot play straight roles... because that's exactly the way the game is meant to be played if it is all really meant to be "fair". Which is why I think it is flawed. Its only outcome is expanding the cultural gap... not healing its cracks. I think the core of the LGBT have sadly been duped by politicians and misled with false promises, and unfortunately those folk have managed to hijack an otherwise pretty decent movement...

y.winter 11-08-2018 05:05 AM

No, because it's called ACTING.
If the portrayal is true to story, I see nothing problematic about it.

kirklancaster 11-08-2018 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dezzy (Post 10135345)
It's something I've noticed lately, backlashes against straight actors playing gay roles, it started with Nick Robinson in 'Love, Simon' and now it's come into play of sorts with Ruby Rose (who is, as far as I know, bisexual) who has recently been cast as Batwoman (who is a lesbian).

Personally I think it's ridiculous to limit actors in that way plus there's a level of hypocrisy there given that there would be a backlash if the situation was reversed as there's plenty said about gay actors being typecast for gay roles. I think the only time such limitations are right are in the cases of race, whitewashing should be a thing of the past. Even with transgender roles there should be some leeway if the character hasn't transitioned themselves, I think.

I think backlashes like the ones listed above hurt the cause more than it could ever help, it looks as thought the LGBT is cannibalising itselff and it gives ammunition to those that would hinder progress. Regardless of sexuality, everyone understands love and relationships and although a straight person can't truly understand what it's like to be part of the LGBT I think they can gleam a decent enough base understanding to portray a gay character. Plenty of straight actors have done it well already.

:clap1::clap1::clap1: A GREAT post FULL of valid points, and the emboldened echoes what I have been saying for a long time.

thesheriff443 11-08-2018 07:06 AM

Where does it leave the bi sexual actors, stuck in the middle.

thesheriff443 11-08-2018 07:09 AM

More LGBT directors producers are needed to make films using pre mentioned actors actresses.

For me it's the best actor actress that makes the part they are playing believable.

Beso 11-08-2018 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesheriff443 (Post 10135725)
More LGBT directors producers are needed to make films using pre mentioned actors actresses.

For me it's the best actor actress that makes the part they are playing believable.

Dont we have to call them all actors now?

Not really sure what your sexuality has to do with your job myself...but hey ho.:shrug:

Nicky91 11-08-2018 09:40 AM

answer for me to the thread's question would be NO, and i agree with Parmy, also not really sure what your sexuality has anything to do with this


i think we've seen it now quite a few times that straight actors/actresses can easily play gay characters in movies/series


Nick Robinson in Love, Simon is a good example i guess

Beso 11-08-2018 10:02 AM

Even ben stokes can pull it off.

ethanjames 11-08-2018 10:05 AM

no i think when it comes to actors playing gay characters as long as they do a good job and fully understand what the character is going through then yes its fine. if its white washing though thats different

Twosugars 11-08-2018 10:06 AM

so everybody agrees actor's sexuality is irrelevant to the role

Northern Monkey 11-08-2018 12:48 PM

I’d agree that it should be up to the casting directors.

I’d think a gay person would probably play the role more convincingly though.

GoldHeart 12-08-2018 03:51 PM

I notice people assume or question someone's sexuality when they play a LGBT person, but when a gay actor plays a straight character they're not always questioned .

I don't think it matters, obviously some might get type cast . people like Anthony Cotton who's flamboyant . And I know other people mostly get picked for certain roles based on their real life background .

Beso 12-08-2018 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Northern Monkey (Post 10136060)
I’d agree that it should be up to the casting directors.

I’d think a gay person would probably play the role more convincingly though.

Nah, they would be far to self absorbed and too much of themselves would come out.

GoldHeart 12-08-2018 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Northern Monkey (Post 10136060)
I’d agree that it should be up to the casting directors.

I’d think a gay person would probably play the role more convincingly though.

That's why some get type casted , but look at Will & Grace . Eric McCormack was so convincing that people probably thought he was gay in real life. If anything it shows he's a good actor :shrug:.

Oliver_W 13-08-2018 01:19 PM

Somewhat timely thread, as apparently people are chimping out over Jack Whitehall being cast as a gay character.

Niamh. 13-08-2018 01:21 PM

No of course not, who you like to sleep with in real life should have no bearing on an acting job

arista 13-08-2018 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oliver_W (Post 10139636)
Somewhat timely thread, as apparently people are chimping out over Jack Whitehall being cast as a gay character.


Yes Good on Jack Whitehall
staying in work...............

Crimson Dynamo 13-08-2018 01:24 PM

i doubt there are enough gay actors to fill all the roles so I expect it is out of necessity at times


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