Tag Archives: gay actors

CLUTCHING PEARLS: Disney Picks Straight Actor to Play Gay in “The Jungle Cruise”

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Yesterday it was announced that “straight” 30-year-old comedian Jack Whitehall (pictured above) will play a ““hugely effete, very camp and very funny“” young man in Disney’s new blockbuster The Jungle Cruise (I’ll wait until everyone’s got the cruising “jokes” out of their system). Well pearls were clutched and Twitter blew up.  Not because of Whitehall playing the stereotypical “fun, effete” gay man.  But because Disney had the nerve, the unmitigated gall to cast a straight man in the role!   

I know we are supposed to be happy about this but the second outreach to the LGBTQ community is another camp character played by a straight guy. Why must we always take our spoonful of sugar with a lemon? https://t.co/sUM012YbWg

— Daniel Franzese (@WhatsupDanny) August 12, 2018

It’s too bad there weren’t any out actors who are regularly called some euphemism for “too camp” by casting directors, studios, networks, executives etc. for literally any role who were available for this Disney “first.” https://t.co/LfCkpUvnRV

— Emerson Collins (@ActuallyEmerson) August 12, 2018

How about an openly gay actor/comedian playing the first openly gay “very Camp” character in a Disney film. Baby steps I guess. FUCK BABY STEPS. THIS IS BULLSHIT.https://t.co/yZMq8y4CAl

— Mario Cantone (@macantone) August 12, 2018

Such a dam shame it’s so hard to find gay actors to play gay roles in hollywood . Do better @disney@jackwhitehallhttps://t.co/QUQ3qbb8NZ

— Chris Salvatore (@CSalvatore) August 12, 2018

Of course we need not point out the obvious that all the above tweets were made by openly gay actors. (Sour grapes?) who are more concerned about getting work than the fact that media representations of gay men too often portray stereotypes, rather than reflecting the full diversity of the gay male community.

Character actors Edward Everett-Horton and Franklin Pangborn made careers out of playing “efette” characters in the 1940’s. Later characterizations include that of Hollywood Montrose in Mannequin, Hank Azaria as Agador Spartacus in The Birdcage, and of course Jack McFarland (Sean Hayes) from Will and Grace. Not a “butch” bone in the bunch. (Well maybe “in” them.)

Instead of the outrage over a straight man playing a gay part we should be outraged that once again a gay character is carrying the long Hollywood tradition of being a sissy for laughs.

And as for the whole “gay actors should only play gay roles”.  Then that would mean that straight actors should only play straight roles and that is not a road the gay acting community wants to go down.

There are just so many revivals of the Boys in the Band.

 

Matt Bomer Talks Role On The New Normal; Still Incredibly Hot

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You know by now that I will try to find a way to talk about Matt Bomer as often as possible and it you’ve been missing seeing this immaculate human on your tv screen then we’re all in luck. Bomer will be introduced into tonight’s newest episode of NBC’s The New Normal. You can also tell creator Ryan Murphy wanted to have Bomer sh0w as much skin as possible and who can blame him.

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I can stare at this picture all day. But he’s probably going to be doing more than this during the episode right? Who cares, I’m still watching. Here’s more about Bomer’s new role from HuffPost:

In “The Goldie Rush,” Bomer plays Monty, one of Bryan’s (Andrew Rannells’) former exes. “He used to be a party guy, very much didn’t want to settle down, didn’t want to have kids, and now he’s starting a new chapter in his life where he does want to settle down,” Bomer previewed. “He runs back into Bryan and David [Justin Bartha] and they have the life that he wants, so he sort of latches on to them and tries to enlist their help to try and find someone to be with and investigate the whole surrogacy process. Then he meets Goldie (Georgia King) and is really besotted with her and tries to infiltrate that ground and tries to enlist her to be his surrogate, and the guys aren’t really having that.”

I mean what else do you need to know? Tune in tonight at 9:30/8:30 central. Also, look at how damn smooth he looks in this pic..tumblr_mgbw3eKF9v1rzzl3ao1_500

Delicious.

Icon Sir Ian McKellen Talks About How Being Gay Helped His Career

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Often you hear how being an out actor is a hindrance and that it can affect movie role offers…but not every thespian feels that way and in fact feels there are benefits to being a gay actor. XMen and Lord of the Rings star Sir Ian McKellen discusses in a recent interview how being a gay actor provided an invaluable sense of self awareness that enhances acting ability:

“There was no Graham Norton on the television at that time, no gay MPs, no-one talking about gay rights on the radio. So I dealt with it my trying to cut that part of myself off, to hide myself, to choke a part of me,”

“When you are made to feel you are so wrong for being who you are, that’s what you do.

“I think that’s why so many great British actors are gay – we spent so long pretending to be straight, to be someone else, that eventually we became very good at it.”

After coming out in the 80s, McKellen wrote about how coming out helped his esteem and could possibly help give others a voice:

“I learned that coming out was crucial to self-esteem. And I accepted the argument that people who thrived in society’s mainstream and had access to the media could, by telling the truth, help others in the backwaters whose views were never sought and whom society either ignored or abused.

“An actor is more protected than most. These days I daily make this point to anyone who will listen because, when I eventually accepted it on the BBC, it changed my life forever for the better.”

Could it be true that this is what many actors feel like when they mask their sexuality? I think it makes sense that some would feel that way. But I’m sure they’re even happier when they don’t have to pretend to be someone else.

Thoughts On Being Gay In The Workforce

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There are many times when I wonder how being gay will have an impact on other aspects of my life, like future careers. Honestly, I don’t know why the topic would ever come up in a therapy session, as disclosing personal information isn’t done very rarely. Usually, the only times it would even happen is to help a client see that we understand or if I worked in an environment that specialized in LGBT issues (which I would LOVE to do someday). But what about other careers, like a lawyer, a doctor, or an actor? How does that   affect what they’re doing as a profession?

For perspective, here’s Ben Baur, an up and coming actor who is gay as he weighs what being out will mean for his acting career. First, Baur weighed even coming out of the closet:

And therein lay my dilemma. Should I be who I am, Ben Baur, the out-and-proud gay man, or Ben Baur the actor who skirts around the issue of sexuality and plays the pronoun game? 

On the one hand, my sexuality is private and really isn’t anyone else’s business. I want to go to work and do a job that I am passionate about and have that be enough. However, with any measure of attention in this day and age, it’s foolish to think that who an actor is dating is never going to come up.

On the other hand, however, I am completely free to be who I am, but there’s the fear that my career would suffer because of it. Recent tweets/interviews from the likes of Bret Easton Ellis and Rupert Everett have contributed to the message that being an openly gay actor will definitely hurt your career and you will definitely be pigeonholed and typecast.

I can identify with a few of the things he’s talking about. Especially the pronoun game. I was a MASTER at it actually. Hmm…. I’ll write about it so look for that one in a couple of days (probably tomorrow). Anyway, in the end, Baur decided it was more important to live an authentic life and be out. Others like Matt Bomer have done the same.

But what about other careers, fellow readers? I’d love to hear other perspectives on this subject. Sure, it may not be as difficult being out now. There’s even websites dedicated to jobs specifically for LGBT. Some may feel that it’s unnecessary to have such sites, but until LGBT have federal sanctions such as ENDA (Employee Non-Discrimination Act), that would protect LGBT from being fired because of their sexuality, it’s a benefit, not a detriment.

So, please share your experiences in the comments!

The Beautiful Matt Bomer Talks About Growing Up Gay

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In OMG he’s perfect entertainment news, White Collar and Magic Mike star Mat Bomer opens up on what is was like growing up gay.  Last night during the GLSEN’s Respect Awards, gay student advocacy group, Bomer goes into detail about how one becomes comfortable with themselves by being authentic and expressing how you are:

“When I was in high school, there was no safe haven, there was no outlet for you to speak your mind, So I did what any self-preserving 14-year-old would do—I signed up for the school play and also the football team to cover my tracks.

“When that happens, when you aren’t allowed to speak about who you are, one of the most authentic parts of who you are, which is who you love or is who you’re attracted to, feels invisible, GLSEN gives visibility and authenticity to kids all across the country.”

Simon Halls, Bomer’s partner with whom he shares three children with, was also there to accept the Inspiration Award and spoke about acceptance of individual differences at an early age:

“Having kids teaches you so many things, and one of the things we both have learned in our parenting journey is how loving and accepting and open children’s minds and hearts are. Unfortunately, in some parts of the country, some kids are taught at an early age that being different is somehow bad or wrong or worthy of ridicule…Kids aren’t born to be bullies, they’re taught to be bullies.”

Such a beautiful man.

Gorgeous John Barrowman Talks About Being Openly Gay In Hollywood

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Torchwood and Doctor Who star John Barrowman discusses his life as a gay man in Hollywood in September’s Desert OutLook Magazine. John first goes into detail how he wishes roles for gay characters weren’t so stereotyped:

America has the most gay men represented on television than any country in the world.  The only thing I wish they would do more often is not stereotype those gay men and women. It’s always the same type they choose. Rather than seeing camp, flouncy, girly men and butch heavy women, it would be nice to see other types. There are “lipstick lesbians,” pretty girls. There are butch guys, guys who are into sports.

Looking back, John has always known that he’s gay. And even though a very “influential” person in  Hollywood told him he should hide or diminish his sexual orientation publicly, he refused to go into the closet for the sake of movie roles:

I wanted to prove that I was born this way. I didn’t wake up one morning and decide I’m going to have coffee, I’m going to have eggs and bacon, and ooh I’m gay. I will challenge anybody, no matter what organization you belong to or how high up you are, I will defend that we are born this way. 

John boldly states that the outlook on LGBT characters and actors will change once those in the closet come out and realize that there are more gays and lesbians in Hollywood than what is widely believed:

the only way things can change is more people are out, and then people would realize that 80 percent of people in Hollywood are gay and lesbian.

I really appreciate his honesty and it’s nice to see nore actors speak out about it.

Broadway And Glee Actor Jonathon Groff’s Message To Closeted Gay Actors: Come Out!

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Jonathan groff, known for his roles on Broadway and Fox Hit sitcom Glee is encouraging his fellow actors still in the closet to come out. The  actor recently discussed that his decison to be openly gay has not affected his career.

Groff, who is reported to be in a relationship with and activist Zachary Quinto diviluged his sexuality in 2009. In a recent interview in Out Magazine, Groff  discusses his own personal experience and states:“I sort of always knew, in the back of my mind, that when the moment arrived for me to come out, I would.”I wasn’t yanked out of the closet [but] when I came out, people said it may have a negative effect on my career, and that’s definitely something I thought about before I did it,”  

The actor noes that when he came out  he didn’t experience a detriment to his career and mentioned “When I came out, people said it may have a negative effect on my career, and that’s definitely something I thought about before I did it. But I don’t hold that belief. I just go on my auditions and plug away as I normally would. At the end of my career, I can look back and ask, ‘Well, did it, or didn’t it?’ But at the moment, I just have to move forward and hope that people will follow my actions.”

There has been an evolution recently in how closeted actors come out  about to announce their sexuality.  His boyfriend, Zachary Quinto came ont in one of thew most nonchalant ways last years by csually mentioning it in a interview for New York Magazine last year. Actor Matt Bomer did the sdame thing this year by thanking his partner and their children at a Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards event.

A few months ago The New York Times discussed  how instead of the former and outdated method of going through a publicist and making a huge announcement has phased out.  The wasy that this earnest and humble announcement like Jim Parsons from CBS Geek Hit The Big Bang Theory in a non-eventual way (AS IT SHOULD BE).

I for one will be elated when an actor, or anyone else, won’t have to come out .  BUT i appreciate Jonathan telling us his own personal experience as hopefully it will encourage those still in the closet and discuss their sexuality openly without fear that it’ll affect job opportunities. Be gay, straight, bisexual, transgender, questioning, curious or any other variant, just be proud of who you are.

 

Glee’s Ryan Murphy Gives Lesbian Role To Straight Actress Anne Hathaway. What about Gay Actors Playing Gay Roles?

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Openly gay Ryan Murphy the creator of “Glee” who once called for the boycott of Newsweek following their publication of Ramin Setoodeh’s controversial “Straight Jacket” article about “gay actors playing straight” controversy which then lead into the “gay actors playing gay” controversy Will now lead into a new “straight actors playing gay” bitchfest because Murphy has cast straight Anne Hathaway to play Kurt Hummel’s gay aunt. 

Personally I think whoever can play the role the best should get the part.  But you know after John Stamos, Gwyneth Paltrow, Carol Burnett, and now Anne Hathaway.  Its kind of obvious how Murphy now does his casting. It;s all about the name baby. 

Don’t get me wrong.  I like GLEE.  Well Season 1 & 2 anyway. before it became and “The One Where Lea Michelle HAS to sing at least one song every episode show.”  And maybe Season 4 will be better than Season 3 if Murphy can move out of his fame whoredom which is doubtful with the GLEE Reality Series coming out and all soon but I one can hope.

So I suggest a way for Murphy to cast gay and keep his fame whore casting intact.

John Barrowman and Rupert Everette for Rachel’s gay dads. 

I will accept no less.

Actor Alan Cummings Goes After Barack Obama On Gay Rights Issues "‘You’ve done diddly squat"

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Scottish born and openly “bisexual” actor Alan Cummings who became a a naturalised American citizen just days after Barack Obama took office has always been a storng supportter of the President……until now.

Cummings, who has been a Democratic Party supporter revealed the extent of his disillusionment in a strongly worded statement to Barack Obama and accused him of doing “diddly squat” to improve gay right

“We keep hearing that Obama is an ally, that ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ will end under his watch, but what do we actually get?  Diddly squat thus far on a federal level, and in addition to that some very offensive statements that would have made the Republicans look bad.

When America is full of hatred of all kinds, but especially hatred towards young gay people, what message is the President sending when he repeatedly goes out of his way to spread the message that the gay population is not worthy of the respect that everyone else is?

How can we counsel our children not to bully their gay classmates or mock their gay friends when they see their President, their beloved President Obama, refusing to do the equivalent in regards to troops and other adults?”

Well done Alan Cummings.  Now if only MORE celebrities would stabd up come out with statements.  George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Robert Downey Jr, Matt Damon, Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, and the rest of you.  WE ARE WAITING.

"Auntie Tom" Gay Tea Party Members (All 2 Of Them) Don’t Want Gay Marriage And Wonder Why The LGBT Community Hates Them? (Video)

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These guys are either actors staright out of central casting or it just proves that yes even  homos can be just as naive, stupid, xenophobic, and reactionary as straights..

Personally I want to see these Auntie Tom’s “Gay Cards”.