Closed minded Hollywood doesn't like gay actors?, page 2

Okay, so this thread is like a month old, but I'll go ahead and reply. I am a 99% out gay man (meaning there are a few people I'm not yet out to)

First ON topic:
As it was pointed out, he is a British actor making a commentary on American society as seen through our film industry. The point he is making is that it is hard for an out gay American actor to gain leading roles in movies. Yes, "Hollywood" is seen as liberal, but they are not making movies for themselves. They are making movies for the mainstream population. Many people have a hard time separating the characters they see on a screen with the actors who play that role. Women in the 50s found Rock Hudson to be what they wanted to fall in love with. If they had known that Rock was more likely to have the hots for Tab Hunter than for Doris Day, his movies wouldn't have been able to hit it off as well with the public the movie studios were targeting.

Now consider actors today. Go back to that list that was posted on page 1. Out of the men that are listed on that page who are actors (not directors, designers, entertainment figures, etc), how many of these men have had successful careers as lead actors WHILE being out as a gay man? A pretty low number, if any.

Gay actors are expected to play gay roles. The studios typecast these men because the studios still perceive the American public to have a problem with gay actors playing straight roles. But then you have to consider the reverse. For lack of a better term, I'll call this the "Brokeback Factor": straight actors are praised for their ability and 'courage' to take on a gay role. As a friend of mine said "Its not hard to play a gay man, I do it every day!"

Second, to answer DaFunk (the off-topic discussion):
Why do some gay men flame? Because it is who they are. There really are men who are effeminate, who talk with lisps and have limp wrists. And, surprise, not all effeminate men are gay! As for wearing make-up, its not something I do. Some of my friends do, most don't. Do I go around waving a rainbow flag? No, neither do my friends or most of the other gay people I know.

I'm friends with flamers and people who easily "pass". [see note at bottom of entry] Personally, I've been told I can pass, but I know other times when I'm fairly obvious by my actions. Its not a conscious decision that I make nor is it a cry for help. It is the way I am and the way I act. I wish I could express better that it is just something that is rather than something that is forced.

On a similar note as mentioned in a previous post, the existence of gay culture and gay pride. Gay culture does exist through shared history and experiences. We have a history of oppression, whether you choose to see that or not. Green carnations, pink triangles, Nazi internment camps, Stonewall Riots, and more are a part of the past of gay and lesbian people. We have our own slang and words that sometimes slip over in to mainstream culture. Our community is diverse and not one stereotype or archetype can pin point every gay man and woman. The mainstream culture is not fully accepting of all things gay. We have gay pride events because we want to come together and celebrate who we are as people and how we and those before us have defied the oppression of the mainstream culture who at one time told us we were mentally ill and sexual devients who should be locked up or killed. We want to celebrate what we and those after us will do to help equality for all people. I live in a state where I can still be denied a job (whether I am flaming or not), marriage to someone I love, and adoption of children. All because of ignorance toward people who are different from the religiously influenced majority.

You got me on a soap box! If you have any questions about anything, feel free to U2U me. I'm actually doing a research project on the portrayal of gays in the media.

[Passing is obviously the ability for someone to pass as something they are not. This term has been used by the black community (black people with fairer skin can sometimes pass as white), the gay community (people who can act fairly straight), and often with trans people (being able to pass as the other sex before a sex change operation).]