“At first I was a bit disappointed. I thought, ‘Why are they casting a straight character in a gay role?’ But then I had to look at myself. I’m a gay man playing heterosexual [characters]. I thought, ‘Hang on, I can’t really join in this debate.’
At the end of the day, when people were saying “He’s an actor playing a part”, that’s exactly it. It doesn’t matter about your sexuality. It doesn’t dictate the roles we should play.
It would be nice as a representation that a gay man could’ve played that role. But then, possibly lots of gay actors auditioned for that role. I don’t know.’”Out actor Nathan Sussex speaking to Gay Star News about straight actors playing gay roles after Disney casts heterosexual Jack Whitehall to play its first openly gay character in 2019’s Jungle Cruise.
Related: Straight actor gets cast as Disney’s first openly gay role. Twitter explodes.
Donston
I agree. But the issue for me has always been more about Hollywood homophobia, self-hate, the pressure on gay actors to constantly prove they can “play straight” and the fact that gay-identifying actors almost never get high-profile gay film roles or high-profile roles in general.
Lacuevaman
It’s called acting, right?
inbama
How would this work anyway? Would you have to prove you’re gay by going down on the casting director? Drop your pants to prove you’re trans?
It’s ignorant, degrading and un-American.
skeldare
I agree. They just shouldn’t win awards for it.
Alton
It doesn’t work that way. You don’t ask why the oppressed minority should be able to play roles meant for the majority. There is no equity here. Straight actors can play whatever role they wish, while gay actors can only play gay roles if they’re out, and only play straight roles if they’re not.
When agents stop telling men like Luke Evans and Sam Heughan that they have to stay in the closet in order to have a mainstream career, THEN straight men can play gay roles. Until then, they’re just helping to keep up the Hollywood closet culture.
DCguy
Yes!
DCguy
Let’s wait until somebody has made it to superstar status who was out from the very beginning and not forced into the closet before we start lamenting over the issue of straight actors complaining their discriminated against.
This wouldn’t BE an issue if LGBTQ actors hadn’t been forced into denying who they were for decades.
Remember, people like Neil Patrick Harris, Jim Parson’s or Michelle Rodriguez were not out when they got their big roles, they were closeted and were outted. So don’t use them to try to claim that Hollywood is so accepting. Yeah, it was accepting of NPH because he came out while he was on one of the top rated shows. They are accepting of Jim Parsons because he is the highest paid actor on Television. If they had been out from the beginning they never would have been cast.
Coreydnyc
You know I’ve really been wavering on this issue, it’s tough but I think the Jack Whitehall situation brings up some really thought provoking issues. While I agree, it is acting, and there are many many gay men playing str8 roles all over Hollywood. where I have a bit of an issue is those “gay acting” actors who are so so talented but just CANT pull off str8 no matter how hard they try, I have friends here in NYC who just can’t advance beyond Broadway musicals. Then this prime Disney role comes along for a flamboyant gay man ( the one role they may have a shot at) and it goes to a str8. I can imagine, beyond frustrating
hansniemeijer
After all it is role play. What some one does between the sheets off screen is really their own business.
Xzamilloh
He’s gay? Yasssss, Hollyoaks!!! That show is keeping LGBT actors across the pond employed!!
Ashke113
The role should go to the actor that embodies the character the director has a vision of, not just to a gay actor because it’s a gay part. Saying that is just stupid and asinine and forces stereotypes we keep bitching about that should be stopped. It’s called acting for a reason and anyone who thinks certain roles should go to a certain group of people is deluded in their thinking. Of course you have your roles that are made for black, asian etc., but a straight man playing a gay part is wrong? What about a straight part played by a gay man, don’t hear anyone complaining about that…let the man act