On last night's episode of Joy Behar, Newsweek reporter Ramin Setoodeh - who faced a bit of controversy when he slammed Sean Hayes as not convincing enough as a heterosexual character in the Broadway hit Promises, Promises sat down alongside openly gay celebrity publicist Howard Bragman to talk about why heterosexual actors get a pass playing gay roles, but gays do not.lack of openly gay actors in film telling our stories.
I do agree there has been a lack of character development of gays - especially in film, but television has become the platform where they are breaking ground with quality gay content. I've nbever been open about this to anyone, but I put acting on hold for a long time because I was afraid if people found out about my sexuality I wouldn't get the roles that others would get. I think many actors are afraid to play gay because so many ignorant people - particularily casting directors believe that if you play gay then you're not really acting. A fireman or a cop or a world wide martial artist can't be gay.
Obvoiusly, some people haven't been around enough gay people to know that our stereotypes go far beyond the hairdressers, make up artists, and home makeover shows that the industry continues to feed into. Until we have that one brave soul with that 'I don't give a fuck' attitude who can build their own industry for gay actors and content like what Tyler Perry's done for black entertainiers, it may be a long time coming before we get that much-needed diversity in the media. Strength in numbers people! So this is why I am taking this time in 2011 to be that "I don't give a fuck' artist who hopes to get my writing and creativity out there and build that Rome for gay performers.
P.S. I agree 1000% about Howard's opinion on Richard Chamberlain and Rupert Everett.
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