[Mitchell]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

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.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Mitchell

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.]

Originally Posted by Mitchell

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?

RT 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-li...view-interview

[Oliver_W]

Originally Posted by 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?

RT 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-li...view-interview

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

[smudgie]

The best actor for the job for me.

[thesheriff443]

Originally Posted by smudgie

The best actor for the job for me.

Plus one.

[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.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

[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...

[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

[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.

[Kazanne]

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

[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.

[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?

[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

[Tom4784]

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

[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 .

[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.

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Babayaro.

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.

[Nicky91]

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

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Nicky91

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.