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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be completely on the fence? Straight men playing 'gay' roles

287 replies

Wheresmykimchi · 16/01/2021 15:39

Article here - www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/corrie-star-hits-back-after-19618647

Russell T Davies has decided to cast only gay men in roles for an AIDS drama.

Peter Ash , who is a straight man playing a gay man in Coronation Street , disagrees.

I'm usually a dog with a bone , irritating poster on topics I feel passionately about and LGBT is one but on this I just can't decide.

I can see Russell's point given the nature of the drama , and I'm never sure I agree with people playing 'gay' , in theory

But then I look at the gay characters in soaps in recent years , Peter's character being am excellent example along with Aaron Lindsay in Emmerdale , Kate Connor and Sophie Webster in Coronation Street , and see Peters point that the whole idea is that there is no such thing as acting 'gay', they are playing people.

I'm so on the fence I've got splinters. AIBU?

OP posts:
Original poster
Wheresmykimchi · 16/01/2021 15:40

Sorry, Aaron Livesy, cheers autocorrect

OP posts:
araiwa · 16/01/2021 15:43

I couldn't give a toss if an actor's sexuality is the same as their character. It's acting

RonObvious · 16/01/2021 15:45

All things being equal, then yes, anyone should be able to play any role, regardless of sexuality. However, all things are not equal. Openly gay actors are rarely cast as straight male leads, so to cast straight actors for the few roles available for gay actors seems grossly unfair.

Once we start seeing gay actors being cast in straight roles, then we can start worrying about whether straight actors should be cast in gay roles.

cherrypie111 · 16/01/2021 15:45

@araiwa

I couldn't give a toss if an actor's sexuality is the same as their character. It's acting
The point is gay actors might have an issue with it

Just like disabled actors getting annoyed when able bodied people are cast as disabled in roles

Josette77 · 16/01/2021 15:45

I think actors are paid to act. I don't see the issue. Can gay actors play "straight"?

LubaLuca · 16/01/2021 15:46

Gay actors play straight characters, so I'm not sure why it can't work the other.

They'd struggle to cast actors for parts such as murderers and superheroes if they had to practise in real life what they portray on screen.

SarahAndQuack · 16/01/2021 15:46

I think it's really good for Davies to say he'll only cast gay actors, partly because AIDs is such a political issue for gay men.

The wider problem is gay actors not getting enough work/high profile work because people think their sexuality will be off-putting. I think what Davies is doing works to make that situation better.

But I think there's a big difference between someone who has a hand in casting choices saying they'll only cast gay men, and an actor feeling they have to turn down a role because they're not gay.

cherrypie111 · 16/01/2021 15:46

I see the reason why and applaud the decision to only cast gay actors in gay roles

It's the same issue as when disabled people are played by able bodied actors made to look as if they had less limbs or where in a wheelchair. Straight actors have many roles open to them, gay actors less so

PotteringAlong · 16/01/2021 15:47

The point is gay actors might have an issue with it

They might, but unless they only play gay characters it would be extremely hypocritical of them.

lunar1 · 16/01/2021 15:48

I have splinters too over this, because where does it end? An actor is just that, a person playing a role.

I do think it's harder for 'out' actors to get heterosexual roles. I have no idea why but think it's probably some leftover prejudice. Much like young adult pop stars are encouraged to remain single and appear available to their fans. Look at the shit Olivia Wild is getting online for dating Harry Styles!!

I have read a lot around the subject and can't make up my mind either way so am looking forward to others perspectives. If it makes any difference, I'm Bi.

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 16/01/2021 15:50

I've said this on another thread, but if I ever went for a job interview (audition) and someone asked me my sexuality to decide if I could get the job (part) then fire and brimstone does not even begin to describe the pain I would bring down on that organisation.

Acting is just a job like any other. You cannot ignore equalities law because you are favouring a minority. Russell T should really think about things like this before he opens his mouth.

Original poster
Wheresmykimchi · 16/01/2021 15:51

@SarahAndQuack

I think it's really good for Davies to say he'll only cast gay actors, partly because AIDs is such a political issue for gay men.

The wider problem is gay actors not getting enough work/high profile work because people think their sexuality will be off-putting. I think what Davies is doing works to make that situation better.

But I think there's a big difference between someone who has a hand in casting choices saying they'll only cast gay men, and an actor feeling they have to turn down a role because they're not gay.

I agree , given the issue.

Weirdly enough , John Barrowman got turned down for Will and Grace for not being gay enough. It went to a straight man.

OP posts:
VanCleefArpels · 16/01/2021 15:51

Plenty of gay actors (open or closeted) play straight (see Pembrokeshire Murders on telly at the moment for example) primarily because there are fewer gay characters in film tv and theatre.

If we take the line that actors need to be able to have lived experience to play a role then taken to its (il)logical conclusion only actors that have suffered in a car crash can play an accident victim, only women who have lost a child can play a grieving mother, and only adopted actors can play a character searching for a birth parent.

RTD means well and I applaud the move towards inclusion and diversity but it’s called “acting” for a reason.

lunar1 · 16/01/2021 15:52

@LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett

I've said this on another thread, but if I ever went for a job interview (audition) and someone asked me my sexuality to decide if I could get the job (part) then fire and brimstone does not even begin to describe the pain I would bring down on that organisation.

Acting is just a job like any other. You cannot ignore equalities law because you are favouring a minority. Russell T should really think about things like this before he opens his mouth.

This is the type of opinion I'm here for! Saying it this way makes it very straightforward, thank you.
Original poster
Wheresmykimchi · 16/01/2021 15:52

@Josette77

I think actors are paid to act. I don't see the issue. Can gay actors play "straight"?
I can't think of many gay men on a soap playing a straight man...welcome to suggestions from others.
OP posts:
VanGoghsDog · 16/01/2021 15:53

Once we start seeing gay actors being cast in straight roles,

Obviously that happens all the time anyway! Taking just Corrie as an example I gather the actors playing both Yasmeen and Daniel, straight characters, are gay.

Not that an actor's sexuality is any of our business.

Soon it'll be that you can't play a role of a different nationality due to putting on an accent.

Original poster
Wheresmykimchi · 16/01/2021 15:54

@lunar1

I have splinters too over this, because where does it end? An actor is just that, a person playing a role.

I do think it's harder for 'out' actors to get heterosexual roles. I have no idea why but think it's probably some leftover prejudice. Much like young adult pop stars are encouraged to remain single and appear available to their fans. Look at the shit Olivia Wild is getting online for dating Harry Styles!!

I have read a lot around the subject and can't make up my mind either way so am looking forward to others perspectives. If it makes any difference, I'm Bi.

Gi Fletcher has said it was only recently she's been allowed to attend Tom Fletcher's concerts as his wife Hmm
OP posts:
Theunamedcat · 16/01/2021 15:55

Aids isn't a gay issue it seems a bit regressive to put it out there like it is?

NellWilsonsWhiteHair · 16/01/2021 15:55

@SarahAndQuack

I think it's really good for Davies to say he'll only cast gay actors, partly because AIDs is such a political issue for gay men.

The wider problem is gay actors not getting enough work/high profile work because people think their sexuality will be off-putting. I think what Davies is doing works to make that situation better.

But I think there's a big difference between someone who has a hand in casting choices saying they'll only cast gay men, and an actor feeling they have to turn down a role because they're not gay.

I agree. I don’t feel any splinters - I understand and applaud what Davies is doing here, and I don’t think that means that straight actors shouldn’t take gay roles in general casting.
NellWilsonsWhiteHair · 16/01/2021 15:56

@Theunamedcat

Aids isn't a gay issue it seems a bit regressive to put it out there like it is?
Oh come ON. It was the defining political issue for a generation of gay men.
VanGoghsDog · 16/01/2021 15:57

John Barrowman got turned down for Will and Grace for not being gay enough. It went to a straight man.

People confuse gay and camp. If they want a camped up character the actor needs to play that, whatever the sexuality of the actor themselves.

Original poster
Wheresmykimchi · 16/01/2021 15:57

In regards to straight men playing gay men I have to say some of the best IMO in recent years would be Aaron in Emmerdale , perhaps as he had to 'learn' his characters story, if you will? As with James and Brendan in Hollyoaks.

Ste Hay is an excellent example too, the actor is gay but the character originally wasn't.

OP posts:
Original poster
Wheresmykimchi · 16/01/2021 15:58

@VanGoghsDog

John Barrowman got turned down for Will and Grace for not being gay enough. It went to a straight man.

People confuse gay and camp. If they want a camped up character the actor needs to play that, whatever the sexuality of the actor themselves.

True. ..but there is no denying that stage John Barrowman is camp.
OP posts:
Original poster
Wheresmykimchi · 16/01/2021 15:58

@Theunamedcat

Aids isn't a gay issue it seems a bit regressive to put it out there like it is?
It doesn't affect solely gay men but in terms of the drama (and the history ) , it is.
OP posts:
VanGoghsDog · 16/01/2021 16:00

True. ..but there is no denying that stage John Barrowman is camp.

Well, maybe he wasn't at the audition? Maybe whatever report said he didn't get it for "not being gay enough" wasn't true?