“Should Straight Actors Play LGBTQ+ Roles?” Ask Me Anything
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In my last “Ask Me Anything” column, I answer a question about the importance of LGBTQ+ representation in media. Almost immediately the same follow-up question came in from a lot people. So, in something of a “Part 2”, today’s column will answer this contentious question:
“Should straight and/or cisgender actors play LGBTQ+ roles?”
I have read a lot of responses to this question from people across the spectrum. All too often the response is some version of this:
“It’s called acting! We’re pretending professionally. Of course, cishet people are capable of playing LGBTQ roles.”
The problem with this response is that it presumes the problem being addressed is primarily one of capability (which we’ll address a little later) when in truth, it is more about representation. Even when actors in the industry make this point, the headlines and emphasis shift. For example, in recent comments, actor Andrew Garfield weighed in on the question, saying:
“I think it’s two different conversations getting conflated. One is about equality of opportunity, and I’m completely in on that. Because we should want a world in which no matter your sexual orientation, your color, or your heritage, everyone gets a fair whack. But the other is about empathic imagination, and if we only allow people to be cast as exactly who they are, it’ll be the death of it. So, the two separate conversations have to happen simultaneously. Because I’m not willing to support the death of empathic imagination. It’s what we need most as a culture, and it’s beautiful. It’s the only thing that’s going to save us right now.”
While I would push back against some aspects of these comments (again, I will below), I…