Current Events > Straight actor Ewan McGregor is getting hate for playing gay in new movie.....

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https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/ewan-mcgregor-catching-heat-playing-160217469.html

Weve finally reached a point where its no longer considered acceptable for white actors to play non-white characters or for cis actors to portray trans characters. Yet it remains extremely common for actors who identify as straight to play LGBTQ characters in movies and TV shows. Should gay roles be reserved solely for gay actors? Ewan McGregor addressed the topic in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, defending his decision to play gay designer Halston in an upcoming Netflix series.

McGregor, who is straight, is set to play the 70s fashion designer in a five-part Netflix series from Ryan Murphy called Halston. In defense of his decision to take the role, he responded to a 2019 comment from Billy Porter suggesting that straight actors should stop playing gay characters.

If flamboyantly wasnt in the description of the character, no one would see me ever for anything, Porter said at the time. Straight men playing gay everyone wants to give them an award.

I hear the discussion and I respect both sides of it, I really do, McGregor said in response. I havent walked in Billy Porters shoes. I dont know what its like to lose out parts when you might feel its to do with your sexuality. So I can only respect his point of view.

Ultimately, he says, he felt comfortable taking the part because Halstons sexuality isnt the primary focus of the story. If it had been a story about Halstons sexuality more, then maybe its right that gay actors should play that role, he explained. But in this case and I dont want to sound like Im worming out of this, because its something I did think a lot about I suppose ultimately I felt like it was just one part of who he was.

Its a complicated issue. Porter is absolutely correct that there are countless gay actors who get typecast or miss out on roles due to their sexuality, so it doesnt feel right for a straight actor to waltz in and take one of the few roles that Hollywood actually makes available to openly gay performers. To this day, many LGBTQ actors are hesitant to come out because theyre concerned that doing so will limit the amount of parts available to them. For some reason, casting directors dont ever seem to be worried about straight actors abilities to pass as gay, but gay actors auditioning for heterosexual roles constantly face extra scrutiny and prejudice over whether theyll be believable as a straight character.

But to unilaterally declare that no actor should ever play a character whose sexual identity differs from their own feels wrong for that exact reason. Its a slippery slope; are we then supposed to say that gay actors can only play gay characters? McGregor makes a good point as well: no one should be defined entirely by their sexuality. Unlike race, sexuality is fluid. (Who, for example, should be allowed to play a bi-curious character? What about a character who hesitates to put any kind of label at all on their sexual identity?)

I'm still upset he played a Jedi when he can't even use the force.

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Majority voting no so far.

Wait, Ewan McGregor is straight?

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Xavier_On_High posted...

Wait, Ewan McGregor is straight?

Yes.

I thought he was gay IRL

was I wrong?

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Do people get outraged at gay actors for playing straight characters?

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Thats dumb. Thats the equivalent of saying anyone gay shouldnt be allowed to play straight people.

Like asked in the article, could a bisexual actor/actress play both or can they only bi characters? What about an actor who is asexual?

KainWind posted...

Do people get outraged at gay actors for playing straight characters?

No, and if they did they'd be accused of being fragile by the same people who are against straight people playing gay characters.

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Do people not know what acting is?

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Hes almost never playing a character like himself. Thats why its acting. We can criticize hollywood for its treatment of gay men, its absolutely true they have to this day forced people into the closet because they think in particular leading men must be straight and I understand the concern, but films are a directors work of art and they should be able to cast who they want to bring their vision to life.

Hey if people wanna support say people who are a different race than the role they are playing fair is fair.

In fact id praise the actor for not being too bigoted to play a gay role.

At the end of the day acting is pretending to be someone you are not.

Now of we wanna talk the potential of actual gay actors not being allowed to act a role because they are gay (amd legit evidence being provided) then I'm all onboard to say outrage os justified.

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What are people's guesses for

1. How long until people start using the term "gayface"
2. How long until people start using the term "gayface" seriously as something that is justifiably taboo
3. How long until people start using the term "gayface" seriously as something that is justifiably taboo and most of society agrees with them.

I'm guessing

1. Less than 6 months
2. Less than 2 years
3. Less than 5 years

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Fuck these lunatics having power like this, social media ruined the world.

And if this is the case then gay people should be banned playing bon gay characters, otherwise its hypocritical.

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I recall there being cases where actors who are known as being gay are either typecasted or basically given fewer opportunities, so I can see an issue of having straight actors play gay characters. But its more a product of the real issue, not an issue in of itself.

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If the story is about the persons sexuality/gender identity then I can the sense is preferring an lgbt+ person to play the role, but otherwise it seems to be missing the point of acting. I do think is sense in having an lgbt person involved to see if anything is handled inappropriately with the script etc, but as a gay chick I really don't care if straight people play a gay character like in this instance.

Aside, there definitely ARE issues of lgbt+ people not getting roles and that is something to be addressed but forcing them into only roles of lgbt+ characters doesn't feel the solution to me.

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It's called acting. You have a chance to get Ewan McGregor or some unknown actor that's gay in real life. Who are you taking if you want to make money?

Movies are about making money.

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"Outrage"
"Backlash"
"Heat"

I believe those words became synonym with Twitter.
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That is stupid

Otherwise gay actors wouldn't be allowed to play straight people.

They would get next to 0 work

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Okay - exactly how overblown is this situation? Like is this a trending topic on Twitter? Are tabloid rags like TMZ and the Daily Mail making a big deal out of it? Is Tiktok discourse flying around about how Ewan MacGregor should be more mindful?

Or is the coverage confined primarily to a Yahoo Entertainment article, where Ewan MacGregor is getting ahead of the criticism with a mindful response, to which people are responding like he's being cancelled as a part of an overblown witch hunt?

Seriously - who's actually talking about this right now, and how widespread is the discourse? Because this is the first I'm hearing of it, and it seems really premature and shortsighted to start going "grr cancel culture! what next, people making up terms like gayface? grr I like ewan macgregor how dare those sjws take away his livelihood!"

Unless I'm missing the enormity of the backlash here, I feel like everyone should calm down a little.

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Are they equally upset that Jim Parsons and Neil Patrick Harris played straight men?

Fuck me this is dumb, it's not even the first time he played a gay character either.

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itachi15243 posted...

That is stupid

Otherwise gay actors wouldn't be allowed to play straight people.

They would get next to 0 work

It's the same rules as the "you can't voice act for a different race" thing that's largely caught on.

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But Ewan McGregor is great at playing gay characters. Also, this shouldn't be a big deal in the first place.

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What a stupid fucking complaint

Easiest route to winning an award.

TBF a lot of gay people used to play straight roles back in the day and still do.

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As a gay man, I don't really care if hetero men play gay roles. Talent is talent.

However, if said people cater to or preach politics that condemn "appropriation"...they should not be exempt from those rules. They need to practice what they preach and be held equally accountable, not invoke more double standards. Last time I checked, Mr. McGregor threw his hand in with such crowds that vehemently criticize a lack of noteworthy media representation for women and minority groups (which includes homosexuals). His commentary may have only been for career promotion, but he still said it supporting certain views. "Be wary of the blade you chose to swing lest you fall upon it ".

Therefore I can not really sympathize with him getting called out for this. This kind of media reaction should have been expected, especially after controversies over cis actors "stealing" roles from the trans communities. Not much goes under the radar in the age of booming technological social media. If this wasn't called out now, it inevitably would be later.

The irony is I've known many fellow gay men over the years who fantasized of McGregor swinging for our team.

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The poll results tho...

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I will say that this is likely going to be the grayest area for this in entertainment, and my answer is that if there is an important aspect of a major character in a work, then you can only do service to the work itself by using someone who has actually lived that aspect of the character.

I'm trusting McGregor on this that Halston's sexuality is not a important aspect. I honestly don't know.

And at the end of the day, it's not "a requirement" and I feel this article is going a little hard on trying to stoke the controversy.

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these articles exist to trigger ignorant people into saying "that's dumb, it's acting, stop whining"

The problem isn't that straight people inherently shouldn't play gay characters, because they inherently can.

the problem is that gay actors struggle to find work, especially as straight characters. and when straight actors play gay characters it takes away work from the gay actors who are already struggling to find work.

But nobody wants to acknowledge that, they just want to get outraged about twitter

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There are a lot of gay actors who I admire and are really damn good and i'd hate for them to be limited to only playing gay characters, because thats where this this is headed.

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ReignFury posted...

There are a lot of gay actors who I admire and are really damn good and i'd hate for them to be limited to only playing gay characters, because thats where this this is headed.

a lot of them practically already are limited to only playing gay characters. gay actors tend to be typecast into gay roles, whereas straight actors are typically given roles as straight and gay characters alike

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Wetterdew posted...

a lot of them practically already are limited to only playing gay characters. gay actors tend to be typecast into gay roles, whereas straight actors are typically given roles as straight and gay characters alike

Theres a long list of recognizable actors who are gay and play straight roles.

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Big yikes, lotta whataboutism itt

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Well then gay people can't ever have straight roles then

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MrMallard posted...

Okay - exactly how overblown is this situation? Like is this a trending topic on Twitter? Are tabloid rags like TMZ and the Daily Mail making a big deal out of it? Is Tiktok discourse flying around about how Ewan MacGregor should be more mindful?

Or is the coverage confined primarily to a Yahoo Entertainment article, where Ewan MacGregor is getting ahead of the criticism with a mindful response, to which people are responding like he's being cancelled as a part of an overblown witch hunt?

Seriously - who's actually talking about this right now, and how widespread is the discourse? Because this is the first I'm hearing of it, and it seems really premature and shortsighted to start going "grr cancel culture! what next, people making up terms like gayface? grr I like ewan macgregor how dare those sjws take away his livelihood!"

Unless I'm missing the enormity of the backlash here, I feel like everyone should calm down a little.

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kage_53 posted...

Thats dumb. Thats the equivalent of saying anyone gay shouldnt be allowed to play straight people.

Neil Patrick Harris literally made a career doing this lmao

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Are there even any A-list actors that are openly gay? I'm struggling to even think of one and wouldn't be surprised if that was intentional...
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Who cares? Next!

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If the LGBTQ+ community doesnt want straight people playing the roles of gay characters, then gay actors shouldn't be able to play the roles of straight characters.

Tell them that and they'll scream about homophobia.

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Bio1590 posted...

Are there even any A-list actors that are openly gay? I'm struggling to even think of one and wouldn't be surprised if that was intentional...

Most of them are either openly bi, and/or women I think, and I'd really hesitate to call any of them "A-listers" aside from MAYBE Kristen Stewart (who's pan) or Neil Patrick Harris. Sarah Paulson seems like she'll eventually get to be "A-list" status though.

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CE really came together for Ewan.

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I suspect the "controversy" here stemmed from about 6 very bored people on twitter

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joe40001 posted...

How long until people start using the term "gayface"

hate to break it to you, but "gayface" is already a term

not a common one, but it does exist

KainWind posted...

CE really came together for Ewan.

Why not? He seems like a chill guy.


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ReignFury posted...

Theres a long list of recognizable actors who are gay and play straight roles.

you can point to some gay actors who were lucky enough to break through, but the simple truth is that most of them aren't that lucky and get passed over because they're gay

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Were_Wyrm posted...

I'm still upset he played a Jedi when he can't even use the force.

How do you know?

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Kate winslet talked about this last month

I cannot tell you the number of young actors I know some well known, some starting out who are terrified their sexuality will be revealed and that it will stand in the way of their being cast in straight roles, the Academy Award-winning actress told The Sunday Times. Now thats f***ed up.
Winslet also said she knows a well-known actor who just got a new agent, and that agent told the client, I understand you are bisexual. I wouldnt publicize that.

Winslet added, I can think of at least four actors absolutely hiding their sexuality. Its painful because they fear being found out. And thats what they say, I dont want to be found out.'
Winslet observed its harder for men to come out in Hollywood because there is a pervasive belief among certain corners of the industry that gay actors cant play straight. She called this dated crap, adding, That should be almost illegal. You would not believe how widespread it is. And it cant just be distilled to the question about gay actors playing gay parts. Because actors, in some cases, are choosing not to come out for personal reasons. And its nobodys business.

https://www.indiewire.com/2021/04/kate-winslet-gay-actors-hollywood-coming-out-1234628060/

it's easy to just say "stop complaining" if you don't acknowledge the uncomfortable realities about the film industry. even though I agree that there's nothing inherently wrong with playing a character with another sexuality there is clearly something wrong with the industry where they are discriminating against gay actors in favor of straight ones

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It is harder for gay actors to get straight roles (of which there are many MANY more), which is why the "gay actors should only play gay roles, and vice versa" is so moronic

I'm old enough to remember when straight actors wouldn't go near gay roles, so having such characters in film at all is an accomplishment

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End homophobia in Hollywood, then we can worry about straight actors playing gay roles again. Seems easy enough.

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It is because he is white

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