Yesterday, we reported that actor Andrew Garfield said in an interview he’s “a gay man right now just without the physical act — that’s all.” He’s now facing considerable backlash for making the comment, despite his good intentions.
Related: Andrew Garfield comes out as a gay man, with one exception
“[Watching Drag Race] is my life outside of this play. I am a gay man right now just without the physical act – that’s all.”
As far as I know, I am not a gay man. Maybe I’ll have an awakening later in my life, which I’m sure will be wonderful and I’ll get to explore that part of the garden, but right now I’m secluded to my area, which is wonderful as well. I adore it.
I had to trust that it was the right thing and Tony [Kushner, writer of Angels in America] had asked me and maybe if he’d asked me, it was the right thing. It was as about doing honor, doing justice and knowing my herstory.
The preparation had begun before [rehearsals began] with a lot of my friends. [The play is] as much devoted to my friends in the gay community as it is those that passed during the epidemic.”
For the last 24 hours, Twitter’s been having a field day with Garfield’s remarks:
I find Andrew Garfield insufferable, but he's perfectly entitled to watch RuPaul's Drag Race.
— Calum Reed (@Calum_Reed) July 6, 2017
Me reading articles about Andrew Garfield saying he's gay but not really gay pic.twitter.com/UN2PUuDpUB
— Adam Valentine (@Adam86Valentine) July 6, 2017
andrew garfield is gay without the physical act.
i get it. i'm a comedian without the jokes.
— Myq Kaplan (@myqkaplan) July 6, 2017
speaking of, i am rich without the physical act https://t.co/UlWxuxUnB9
— Fariha Róisín (@fariharoisin) July 6, 2017
Garfield works in Hollywood and he's watching reality TV to learn about gay men. Like, maybe just strike up a conversation?
— ???? (@erikjdavis) July 6, 2017
Garfield works in Hollywood and he's watching reality TV to learn about gay men. Like, maybe just strike up a conversation?
— ???? (@erikjdavis) July 6, 2017
Hey did you know that if you marathon Drag Race you are a gay man? That's all it takes. Who knew. Thanks, Andrew Garfield.
— Lana del Lorde (@jiggatravels) July 6, 2017
Straight tourists who try on oppression for kicks make me so tired. Andrew Garfield and James Franco… guys… you will never understand.
— ? Hamish Steele ? (@hamishsteele) July 5, 2017
Andrew Garfield: RuPaul's Drag Race and Tony Kushner made me gay
Me: pic.twitter.com/iear2N1XVz— rachel leishman (@RachelLeishman) July 6, 2017
I like how Andrew Garfield's view of being gay is having friends over to watch RuPaul.
— Eric M. (@thefilmviews) July 6, 2017
I mean yeah but that doesn't change the fact that Andrew Garfield playing a gay man on TV doesn't suddenly mean he understands oppression.
— Cari Meixner (@carimeixner) July 6, 2017
Andrew Garfield: I'm a gay man without the physical act because I watch Rupaul's Drag Race pic.twitter.com/5AknYcOXl5
— Chelsea (@zaynscoweyelash) July 6, 2017
JaredMacBride
A lot of people who don’t have enough to do.
DCguy
Cue up the Andrew Garfield fans to get accounts come in here and freak out because he was called out. (Yawn)
PRINCE OF SNARKNESS aka DIVKID
Cancerous. As are the idiots defending this counterproductive, narcissistic, faux outrage pissing competition. Enjoy your twitter likes
Xzamilloh
He’ll apologize for his words and Twitter will move on to find someone else to be mad at… I thought what he said was stupid, but not enough to act like it took something from my life. SJTWitter really needs to enjoy its first world status and stop acting so oppressed all the time.
J.T.
Andrdw Garfield might not be gay, but his hair sure is.
Donston
James Franco is a legit narcissistic, manipulative freak and druggie. Garfield is just a pretentious actor who was being tongue-in-cheek. They shouldn’t be thrown together. However, his comments once again highlight the idiocy of people thinking sexual orientation is a “lifestyle” and a sexual behavior rather than something inherent. This type of thinking is why I have a hard time connecting with so many of these 30 and younger “queer folk”, though I’m only 28.
It is cringe-worthy, but it’s not worthy of outrage, especially since he seemed to be sarcastic. Twitter is always up in arms about something. Nothing new here.
Donston
There are a lot of homo and homo-dominant bi men out there who think that as long as they’re fvcking girls, not fvcking dudes and/or not living a stereotypical “gay lifestyle” that they’re not fahags. And that usually leads to extreme self-denial, internalized homophobia, a sense of both extreme superiority and inferiority, not being able to develop authentic and healthy relationships with men if you do embrace who you are, etc. That’s why comments like his are somewhat problematic, even if dipped in sarcasm. However, the outrage is stupid and single-minded.
Chris
When I read hos entire statement, I don’t see what there is to get all upset about. Hopefully, when Will and Grace return to TV, he’ll expand his viewing options. 🙂