What's your view on Jack Whitehall playing a gay character?

[LyndorCake]

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/film/2018/aug/13/jack-whitehall-role-gay-disney-character-row-jungle-cruise

People have gone wild on twitter about it.
One argument says that as he is straight, he can't understand the role properly and is taking roles always from LGBTQ+ actors. The other side of that is he's an actor and therefore he is always pretending to be someone he isn't in any role, how is this different?

I can sort of see both sides but curious as to what you think?

Well seeing as it's acting, I don't care. He's playing a role. It doesn't disadvantage gay actors in the same way as it would a non disabled actor playing a person with a disability, as gay people can also play straight roles.

As there are so few roles for gay men and women in Hollywood movies, and gay actors report feeling pressurised to hide their sexuality, I think it is important for gay roles to go to gay actors actually.

Cis off

It's not an offensive word

It is to me

If there’s so few gay roles available, maybe the answer is to demand that more are written rather than to pigeon-hole the actors who play them.

@bonquiqui. Also offensive to myself.

It's not an offensive word, so while thankful I'm sure your heads up was trying to be helpful, I won't stop using it as I see nothing unacceptable about it personally

Well the people you are using it about find it very offensive, so why are you purposefully offending them? If you think its ok to call people what they have expressly asked you not to call them, I presume you see no issue with calling transwomen Mr or Caitlyn Jenner Bruce?
Or does your offence only go in one direction?

Women have been demanding more better roles for women over 35 for the last 30 years. How’s that working out?

Bottom line is movie industry is controlled primarily by straight men and they don’t care about catering to what they see as minority interests - gay people, non-white people, disabled people, older women, all they care about is making money.

Bottom line is movie industry is controlled primarily by straight men and they don’t care about catering to what they see as minority interests - gay people, non-white people, disabled people, older women, all they care about is making money. - The free market is never wrong.

It's not an offensive word

I find it profoundly offensive. Usually because of the way it is used.

Isn’t this the job of an actor? Playing someone he’s not.

I think it was shocking that Orlando Bloom played an elf. They should have got an elvish actor for the gig.

And as for that Matt Smith playing a Time Lord - how very dare he!

I'm reminded of what Olivier said to Dustin Hoffman, when Hoffman was struggling to find the motivation for his role in Marathon Man: Why don't you just act, dear boy?

I think including well rounded, just-happen-to-be-gay characters on film and tv is more important than who plays them. They are acting, being someone else. In this case I don’t think it’s a thing.

I think that too many film/tv roles cast or assume a white, straight lead. The "LegallyBlack " and "#StartingJohnCho" campaigns tried to ask why not a black/Asian lead?

This could be extended to disabled actors assuming that they are able to work on a film/tv set environment.

Isn't the use of 'cis' against guidelines on here in some circumstances?

@bonquiqui

Here is Mumsnet's latest moderation policy wrt the trans rights debate.

Particularly relevant is: "... it’s clear that most trans people find the use of pronouns or names that they or others have consciously rejected, to be hurtful and would therefore struggle to engage in a discussion with those who insist on using them. The same is true of the expression ‘Trans-Identified Male’ or ‘TIM’. Likewise, many feminists are affronted by the term ‘cis’ and ‘terf’, so using these terms will make civil debate less likely. As we’ve said, context is everything – but it’s likely that going forward our moderation team will delete these expressions."

Isn't the use of 'cis' against guidelines on here in some circumstances?

If it is, I apologise and won't use it on here. Really wasn't looking to start an argument or get into a debate about trans people (as I know my views on that differ from many MNrs). Was just saying it was a word I use in a descriptive sense. Not sure I warranted the being jumped on though.

@bonquiqui yes, offensive. I'm a woman, no need to say cis. It's woman or trans woman if they were born male but identify as female.

Was just saying it was a word I use in a descriptive sense

Without jumping on you, I’d like to explain that’s exactly why I do find it offensive. Woman covers anyone describing me, no cis required.

Not sure I warranted the being jumped on though.

Jumped on? Or asked to stop using a sexist and offensive word?

RedNed said it better.

So you "knew your views differ" but didn't know cis was unacceptable. Right

It's not used in a descriptive sense, as its entirely redundant. You stated you didn't care if other people found it offensive because you didnt, and you didn't intend to stop using it.
Why wouldn't you be pulled up on that? You only cease using offensive terminology when told you'll be deleted?

yes, offensive. I'm a woman, no need to say cis. It's woman or trans woman if they were born male but identify as female.

I'm not "it is" trans woman. I wouldn't use that phrase. Like I say, all a matter of opinion and wasn't trying to offend anyone.