Over the past two decades, characters have been coming out of the closet and on the outside, the entertainment industry seems comfortable with the queer movement. James Franco kissing Sean Penn in "Milk".
"Milk" (2008) was nominated for best picture. Shows like "Queer as Folk" and "Will and Grace" lasted multiple seasons. Queer characters pop up in shows from "The Office" to "24." However, think for a second. James Franco with her girlfriend actress Ahna O’Reilly.James Franco with actress Michelle Trachtenberg.
The entire main cast of "Milk" was played by heterosexuals, as were the two gay males on "Will and Grace." "Queer as Folk" had three gay recurring actors, but the main two characters were played by straights.
Think about "Milk." Penn did a great job as Harvey Milk, but I'm sure that certain white thespians could play an amazing Martin Luther King, Jr. Yes, I winced a little as I wrote that sentence. Penn has the talent, but does that make his decision right? Surely, there must be enough gifted gay actors out there who could have done justice to any of the main characters in "Milk."
And there are gifted gay actors out there, even gay closeted actors. You may have your Lances and Ellens, but we live in a world where even David Hyde Pierce (whose success is by no means based on sex appeal) didn't even come out until a year ago. That should say something about the social environment. For every Neil Patrick Harris that comes out, I'm sure there are a dozen who are staying in the closet. Is "gayface" just a way to make the closet more inviting? If the only socially acceptable performer for a gay role was a gay actor, would things change?
Source: www.tuftsdaily.com
“Gyllenhaal's not gay… and the gays all want him. They're done with Cruise, they've had it, he's too crazy…You know the gays are moody. You gotta keep up...”
--Comedian Kathy Griffin on Larry King Live, July 11, 2006.
But primarily we dish because we're selfish. The gay community is part of the human race and, just like everyone else, we're programmed to survive. But since we can't procreate in the sense that we can reproduce our own kind at whim or after a few pitchers of margaritas, we promulgate--we endure through declaration. We can find hundreds of pictures of Jake in spandex on the Internet, but all that makes him, I believe, is a straight man in "gay" clothing". Source: www.afterelton.com
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