Actor Matt Bomer, known for his roles in White Colar, American Horror Story and Magic Mike, among others, just got unusually candid when discussing the effect coming out as gay had on his career. In short, he admits that it did damage him in some ways.
While discussing his role in The Boys in the Band with Attitude, Bomer detailed how opportunities for openly-queer actors have changed in recent years. Bomer came out in 2012, revealing that he’d married his husband Simon Halls the year before.
“There are definitely more opportunities for gay actors than ever before, but there’s still a price to pay for being out,” Bomer told the magazine. “We’re living in a day and age where there are actors and athletes and public figures who are openly gay and have been unafraid to acknowledge that. But without a question, there’s a tradeoff, in my experience.”
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“I came out at a time when it was very risky to do so,” Bomer elaborates “I had a studio film that was about to premiere, and a television series coming out. But to me it was more important to be my most authentic self, both for my family, and for myself. I wasn’t trying to be a role model, nor am I now, but I thought if it could help just one person, then it would be worth it. But to say that didn’t cost me certain things in my career would be a lie. It did.”
Bomer doesn’t elaborate on the substance of that cost, though we can assume it disqualified him from certain opportunities as an actor. He has, however, continued to work constantly since 2012.
Coming out also helped Bomer land his upcoming part in The Boys in the Band, a role which he played on Broadway in 2018. The stage version and subsequent film are notable for featuring an all-openly gay cast.
For Bomer, doing the play and film offered a refreshing experience. “It was such a freeing experience to get to tell a story with an entirely gay ensemble and creative team,” Bomer opines. “There are often times on set where I am the only openly gay person there, and I’ve learned how to manage that and do the work — but it was so nice to have this collective experience together and a shared sense of who we are, and who we want to be, and an understanding of each other. I think that really informed the work.”
The Boys in the Band arrives on Netflix September 30.
BoomerMyles
I bet he could have been the big screen Superman.
HankHarris
He was on the short list
michael_totzke
Go. Matt. I’m certain you’ve helped MANY a gay lad.
justgeo
Beautiful-Handsome man in every way! I hope he never gets trashed with dirty laundry! (I would love to eat his ass for days )
jayceecook
Pretty white man says what?
Gurl, it was 8 years ago. Not 1992 or even 2002. Of all the LGBTQ+ thespians working today you have had far more success than most of them. More than most straight ones too. Be thankful you were blessed genetically that a ton of folks anywhere on the sex and gender spectrums drool over you. You are talented for sure but own your pretty privilege.
Donston
Like many things it’s a layered issue. Bomer has white, pretty man privilege. He also has “can somewhat pass for ‘straight” privileges. Without those things he would have never been in the position he was in, getting a lead role on a TV show so early in his career and being presented as a “sex symbol”. But there’s no doubt that coming out as “gay” limited his career. He was set up as “the next leading man”, but as soon as the press found out he had a husband and some kids that was a wrap.
Things are a bit different in 2020. Most of these actors nowadays present themselves as queer/bi adjacent no matter how authentic that might be. But it’s apparent that connecting yourself to “gay” and/or being a dude who unabashedly has same-sex affections, passions, preferences, romantic inclinations, relationships still has its career and sociological consequences. We can acknowledge people’s privileges while still taking note of other issues.
Black Pegasus
@jayceecook
@Donsron
I agree with you both. I guess that makes me reasonable.
Donston
I didn’t disagree with the essence of Jay’s post. Matt has a lot more privilege and opportunity than many “queer” entertainers. But that doesn’t mean what Matt said doesn’t have truth to it.
Mattster
This is obtuse. We don’t know what projects he didn’t get due to his coming out. Yes, he’s been working pretty steadily but mostly in fairly small projects and roles. He hasn’t mentioned what he lost, probably because he doesn’t want to piss off the producers or directors involved so he can keep working. Might he have been in line for a huge action or superhero movie, or working with Scorsese? Maybe someday we will know what might have been.
Just because he’s good looking and working doesn’t mean he hasn’t suffered from homophobia. We have come far in the last 20 years, but we have yet to see an out LGBTQ performer as the lead in a major project because the powers in Hollywood don’t think it’s bankable.
20+ years ago coming out meant an end to your career in Hollywood and TV. Now it means you take a career hit but can work on the periphery. It’s progress, but anyone thinking people coming out now aren’t taking a very real career risk is fooling themselves.
mz.sam
Any one who followed Matt’s career may recall there was much publicity after White Collar series ended for him to star in a Montgomery Clift biopic. What ever happened to that project?
dhmonarch89
he doesn’t mention what it cost journalists who knew he was gay but because his husband (uber publicist, Hall), supposedly threatened them that they’d never get to interview ANY of his other clients if they even asked Bomer about being gay- including after he thanked his husband at an award show (the People magazine story was still in the works and that was more important than the pride he talks about above.)
dhmonarch89
I’m really getting sick of all the racist comments… yes, he’s white- oh- I forgot, we’re all evil nazis who never lifted a finger for anyone in the gay community, my bad!
TheMarc
I’ve not read one comment that said or implied what you’re stating. It seems you’re assuming quite a bit. First, that people calling someone out for failing to acknowledge their privilege automatically means they’re calling said person a Nazi or whatever. Not only ludicrous, but offensive. Second, that anyone has insinuated that white LGBT members of our community have not been instrumental in advancement of LGBT rights. Again…no one said that. What is more disturbing is that the tone of your message is where you leapt at the slightest acknowledgment of what is a fundamental, empirical truth.
Aaron
Wow, the OP sure escalated things to oblivion. Like… what the actual f**k… lol
enlightenone
“Loosing” yourself will always be the most significant loss. You choose!
bachy
He’s so beautiful being gay or straight hardly matters. Beauty trumps it all.