Pop-Ed: Newsweek Should Notice Progress For Gay Actors

By Jarrett Barrios Posted May 13th 2010 12:00PM

In a special guest post, Jarrett Barrios, President of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, writes about why gay actors can and should play straight roles and why Newsweek and their piece on 'Glee' is hindering the societal progress that has helped gay actors and actresses feel comfortable coming out of the closet.

Is America ready to embrace its gay and lesbian friends on the silver screen? Newsweek columnist Ramin Setoodeh doesn't think so. His article, 'Straight Jacket,' laments loudly: "For gay actors, why should sexual orientation limit a gay actor's choice of roles?" But he then spends the rest of his time peddling stereotypes and ignoring facts about the real progress gay Americans have made in Hollywood.

At the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), we've been advocating the equality Setoodeh longs for -- but unlike the author, we've also seen the list of gay actors grow longer with each passing year. This is progress that everyone is noticing -- everyone, that is, but Newsweek.

The article mocks 'Glee's' choice of openly-gay Jonathan Groff as its new leading man. He might be the only critic in America to do so. And Groff certainly isn't the only story of a gay actor finding success in Hollywood. Think Cheyenne Jackson on '30 Rock,' Wanda Sykes on 'The New Adventures of Old Christine' and even in music, Adam Lambert's debut album outsold Kris Allen's – who won 'American Idol' over Lambert.

Satoodeh also condemns Sean Hayes' turn as the leading man in the revival of 'Promises, Promises' on Broadway. Not only does he refuse to mention how many successful gay leads there have been -- the leading men currently or previously in 'Mary Poppins,' 'The Addams Family' and even the classic 'South Pacific' were gay -- he tries to disqualify Hayes because of his "queeny" role in 'Will & Grace.' According to Satoodeh, Hayes' turn in that show makes him now unfit to play straight roles.

If facts still matter to Satoodeh, it is worth noting that the American Theatre Wing last week nominated Hayes for a Tony Award for his role in 'Promises, Promises.' T.R. Knight has snagged Emmy nominations for his charming -- and heterosexual -- character on 'Grey's Anatomy.' And most notably, Neil Patrick Harris still plays a womanizer on 'How I Met Your Mother' -- to the acclaim of critics and fans alike.

Sure, we've got more progress ahead of us. There isn't an out actor with the profile of George Clooney or Denzel Washington -- or perhaps that actor just hasn't come out yet. But that doesn't mean that those actors who are gay aren't good leads. It doesn't mean that gay actors should opt for the closet.

If indeed he wants to see a world where gay actors can play straight roles, Satoodeh did about as good a job at gumming up progress as he could have done.

And I certainly hope it doesn't mean that a gay kid pursuing any career will take from this piece that they are worth less than their straight counterparts, because openly gay people today are not only successful actors -- we're also CEOs, parents, senators, athletes, blue collar workers and even contributors to Newsweek.

Kristin Chenoweth Responds To the Newsweek Article on Glee >>>

Jarrett Barrios began his tenure as the President of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation in September 2009. Barrios is known for his work as a human rights advocate and former state legislator, and is proud of his role as a husband and father of two teenage sons. Get More on GLAAD's Mission Here

Tags: Glee

Comments

(24)

Thursday 13 May

By Madre

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I thought that the mark of a truly great actor was the ability to play any part and do it convincingly.

By Brad

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Having been on the fringes of show business for years, I am always amazed when an actor turns out to be straight. I think if the average American dope knew how many gay people are in show business they'd be shocked. Folks, a HUGE number of your leading men are gay. Get used to it. You've been duped for years.

And to the dope who says that between 4 and 7 percent of the population is gay. You need a better meter. It's at LEAST 10 percent. And that does not count bi-sexuals. Many of your husbands, ladies, are into their men friends. I once knew a guy who doubled as a gay "escort." 90 percent of his clients were "straight" married men. Americans are extremely stupid on this issue.

By Ron

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Why not?

To those of you who feel so threatened by homosexuals, maybe you should ask yourselves why it bothers you so much?

Carl Jung said, "The things that irritate us about others is often a reflection of ourselves." Whoops!

By Kimberly

Just because people are against homosexual behavior does not mean they may be homosexual that is like saying if your against cocaine use you must be a closet user, and before you say that's different that's illegal drug use well in most states homosexual behavior is also illegal.

Be careful using the term ‘lifestyle’ when referring to homosexuals. Gays and lesbians have as many different 'lifestyles' as heterosexuals.

If I referred to the ‘heterosexual lifestyle’ that would put you in the same category as that woman on Jerry Springer who sleeps with her daughter’s boyfriend…you aren’t her, are you?

By Alex

LOL-- Cant have it both ways, Miggie -- You guys can't decide whether gays are a tiny minority or whether you are innundated with us.

By meacutie

You must not have done any theater work in high school or after; notable fact when you kiss someone in a movie/play you're not kissing the actor, you're kissing the "character."

By Jean

Meacutie, you didnt get the point!!! These "characters" are not someone I would exchange spit with....get it?????????

By Wendell

Sexually active, Homosexual males, if they are honest, cannot donate blood products EVER. This is a scientific and legal fact. So, what is the wisdom of having them doing kissing scenes with actresses? This is not a smear, just a truth. What you do sexually does have consequences. That said, if there is no exchange of body fluids, what difference does it make? It is called ACTING for a reason.

By What?!

10 percent to 7000 degrees C. That's it.

By Sarah

Haven't they been doing this for decades? From Rock Hudson to Neil Patrick Harris. If you were in the Hollywood scene you'd be surprise who was actually gay. In the 50s, 60s and 70s, there was something called "The Casting Couch," where famous actors and actresses had to sleep with producers, studio execs and directors for roles.

By fishiee

Ya if hes good he will get roles or funny.

Ellen did it in a funny movie i like her though but a big romantic thing no.

By Colleen

Why do people continue using Jonathan Groff's image for this article? He's not the only openly gay actor who's done both straight acting (I use Glee for this reference) and Broadway. Sadly, he's been singled out by the Newsweek writer, but he's definitely not the only one. Why are we so uppity about Broadway actors being gay? It's taken me a long time to figure out they're not all gay (Patrick Wilson anyone?). And I think both gay and straight actors do the opposite roles greatly.

By Denhamdoes

Maybe that is why its called 'acting'.

By ALEX

Don't worry-- I don't think it will be an issue, as I doubt you'd be offered. Successful people dont waste their time and energy on judging others negatively -- they look for the positive and potential

By Mickerie

I didn't hear one word about bi-sexual actors/actresses. What's up with that? The list of bi-sexual performers would probably dwarf both categories. Enough of this one or the other thing; and what the hell does it mean to be "gay" anyway? If the character is gay, that's the way you play it. If the character is straight, that's the way you play it. An actor really doesn't exist without the playwright. It's the playwright's choice of how the character deals with his/her sexuality, whether it is Jack in WILL AND GRACE or Brick in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF. Enough, already.

Friday 14 May

By Joe

wait... there aren't any openly gay US senators. is that what he was talking about??? cause that's not true...

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