Watching the Golden Globes last week sparked this thought that comes up for me a lot - and don't get me wrong - I am thrilled with the progress being made in the industry for all communities. It is important that we empower diverse communities, people of all types, ages, races, and minority groups. But are we doing enough? As I was watching the awards show, I didn't feel any LGBTQ+ representation until Billy Porter presented the award to Ryan Murphy. That was touching and moving on both of their parts. They have both worked so hard and are bright lights for so many of us to continue to try and break into this industry - no matter how long it takes and how many no's you get along the way -they are paving a way to make it possible.
It is exciting to see the amount of films that were nominated portraying LGBTQ+ roles, relationships, and struggles. It is WAY more than when I was a kid (if there were any) and substantially more than the past few years. But is is enough? Should there be more? A report on diverse representation in film released last month by the LGBTQ media advocacy group GLAAD found that the percentage of queer-inclusive films has grown by 50% within the past 10 years. In 2021, more than 20%, or a total of 17 out of 66 films released in theaters by a major studio, included at least one LGBTQ character. The growth is great - but is 20% enough? The LGBTQ+ community is in every aspect of life - I believe that number should be closer to 90%. We don't have women or men only films, why should we have only straight representing? That isn't true to the world we live in.
ALSO - why do we still have so many straight actors playing these gay roles? Are there no LGBTQ+ actors that can fulfill these roles. As an actor in LA, that is hard to believe. Below are some of the LGBTQ+ roles played by straight actors nominated.
Cate Blanchett (LOVE her) - "Tar"
Zendaya - "Euphoria "
Brendan Fraser - “The Whale”
Evan Peters - “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”
These actors are fabulous! I would just like to be an advocate for hiring LGBTQ+ actors for LGBTQ+ roles. For so long we have been repressed, our stories either not to be told, or now being told but not by the correct role model. We need to show people, young kids, it is okay - Gay people playing Gay roles are on TV, in the movies and it is normal. Having straight actors work these roles still sends the message that is is not possible - or accepted? It still seems like a boundary we are pushing to break. Hopefully one day we have a substantial amount of queer roles nominated with all actors played by an identifying person of the community.
"It will always matter for openly queer actors to be acknowledged for their work, it will always be important for some percentage of movies and shows to put queer stories front and center, and it will likely always be necessary for us to fight to ensure those requirements are met by an industry that has traditionally treated us as irrelevant" - The Blade.
Kenny
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