Heterosexual Actors Playing Queer Characters - Is It Time For a Change?

I should also highlight that a lot of people compare straight actors/queer characters with cisgender actors/transgender characters, which I don’t think should be lumped into the same category because the latter usually involves a physical transformation. However, as I’m cisgender, I won’t be commenting much on this topic as it’s not my place.

What qualifies an actor for a role? Should it be based only on ability, or is it more nuanced?

The answer isn’t a straight one (a pun already, wow), but it’s worth a discussion. Should a white person play a person of colour? Generally, no, but voice acting is okay so long as they’re not putting on an accent. Should a woman play a man? It depends but, again, if it’s in a serious context then no…? Should a straight person play a gay, lesbian, or otherwise queer character? As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I don’t have an issue with it.

I had to figure out why I was okay with straight actors having queer roles, but not white people playing other races (for example), and I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s probably because of a character’s physical representation. Someone trying to mimic someone else’s physical appearance or mannerisms (especially those of a marginalised group) makes me uncomfortable, almost like they’re mocking them. Take blackface: regardless of its racist history, it feels insulting for someone to change their appearance in such a drastic way to play someone else.

Of course, I’m not saying that an actor changing their appearance for a role is bad, there’s nothing wrong with people wearing wigs, different clothes, make-up, accessories, etc… My issue lies somewhere between there and pretending to be an entirely different sub-group by means of physical transformation. Therefore, I don’t have a problem with straight actors playing non-straight characters, unless they undergo a major physical transformation (which you shouldn’t have to do in order to portray someone queer).

I haven’t seen the film, but I’m aware that James Corden’s portrayal of a gay man in The Prom was criticised; however, I think the main issue was that he was playing ‘an “aggressively flamboyant” caricature of a gay man.’ And on that point, I would agree – anyone, especially a straight actor, playing a gay character who is clearly feeding into harmful stereotypes and theatrics makes me very uncomfortable because of the physical, and unnecessary, transformation.

On the other hand, Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal’s performances in 2005’s Brokeback Mountain were fine, not just because they were masculine and ‘straight-passing’, but because they were not stereotypes; they were just…men who happened to love each other.

As long as a role is handled with respect, i.e. free from stereotypes, and extensive research is done into the appropriate community, then my feathers remain unruffled. In fact, rather than the actors’ sexuality, I would have more of a problem if everyone who worked on the production of something LGBTQ+ were all straight because they’re the ones telling and forming our stories, the actors are just acting.

However, something cropped up in the NBC article made me pay attention to the other side of the argument: ‘Hollywood actors have reported getting fewer roles after coming out of the closet’ so a lot of people, straight and LGBTQ+, think that queer roles should be reserved for queer actors in order to give them the opportunity to tell their own stories.

I see this from both sides but am still sticking to my original argument. Is it bad that an actor’s sexuality could stifle their career? Undoubtedly, and the industry, especially those responsible for casting, should be held accountable. Is the reason for this prejudice because straight actors are playing gay roles? I don’t think so, at least not directly.

As queer actress Kristen Stewart points out: ‘it’s a slippery slope conversation because that means I could never play another straight character if I’m going to hold everyone to the letter of this particular law. I think it’s such a gray area.’ If we were to say that only gay characters can play gay roles, it feels a bit like type-casting and limiting the number of roles they can do, especially because so few LGBTQ+ roles (compared to heterosexual ones) are actually being created. On the other hand, if queer actors could only play queer roles from now on, would we have more queer roles, and thus more authentic representation…? Probably yes, but my point still stands.

The one thing I will say in support of queer actors playing queer roles is that if I do find out that the person playing a queer character is also queer, I’ll get excited (I recently discovered that Stephanie Beatriz is bisexual, just like her character Rosa Diaz in Brooklyn Nine Nine, and welcomed this news with open arms). I’m not sure if it’s because I’m excited for them to bring their personal experience to life, or because I like seeing queer representation whether that’s behind the lens or not. Either way, I do welcome it, I just don’t think it should be the only option.

So, many people – whether LGBTQ+ or straight – have contrasting opinions on this and I can see why; when it seems like a marginalised group is becoming further marginalised then of course people are going to speak up. I just don’t see a problem with this particular issue, myself.

Written by Shanade McConney

My name is Shanade and I’ve been passionate about writing for as long as I can remember. I've been known to play Fortnite for an obscene amount of time, I love putting a good outfit together, and I process life insurance applications near Bristol, where I’ve been based for 2 years. I’m trying to live my best life, whatever that might look like, and hope I never lose sight of the things that bring me joy.