By Angelina Tang
Representation in the media is very important nowadays. For those of marginalized groups, seeing themselves recognized through popular culture, books, movies, TV shows, games, and more can be comforting and bring a lot of joy. It can remind one that they are not alone—that there are others in the world like them, and that they have a community. One of these groups, whom we will be focusing on today, is the LGBT community, and namely, their representation in movies and TV shows.
When it comes to film, there seems to be two separate fanbases: those who like the characters in the film, and those who like the actors and actresses. Some people watch shows just because their favorite actor is the lead; some watch shows because they’re interested in the plot and content of the show. Because of this, LGBT representation in film has become a hotly debated topic as the following question arises: does a straight actor playing a gay character constitute good representation? In other words, is it okay for straight actors to play queer characters, or should only queer actors play gay characters?
For those who say yes, straight actors can play queer characters, it’s argued that the very essence of acting is being able to play roles you are not in real life. That should encompass something like a character being LGBT—after all, there is not much inherently different between a straight and a gay person aside from who they’re attracted to, if you ignore all of the societal labels and lines we’ve drawn around ourselves. In addition, not allowing any straight actors to play LGBT characters creates stigma around the LGBT label. “To have quote-unquote ‘straight’ actors saying now, ‘Hey, I won’t take that part, because it’s gay, and you should give it to a gay person,’ it feels like another way to stigmatize our stories,” Jamie Babbitt, director of the movie But I’m a Cheerleader—which stars a lesbian character—said in an NBC article published in 2021. It furthers the divide between queer and straight actors in the movie industry, instead of closing the gap. Finally, letting straight actors play queer characters has the potential to increase empathy for the LGBT community, as the experience may allow previously uneducated individuals to immerse themselves in LGBT community culture and thus become allies to their queer friends.
Of course, there is a problem with this: straight actors playing queer characters takes opportunity away from queer actors. Many actors, such as Rupert Everett, saw a sharp decline in the number of offers they received after coming out. By filling LGBT roles with straight actors, you detract from the already limited number of roles these LGBT actors have a chance of taking. In addition, straight actors playing LGBT characters may detract from the goal of representation for the LGBT community as well. If a closeted LGBT individual saw this show, for example, and saw an LGBT character, they may find a role model and comforting figure in this character since it mirrors their own complicated identity. However, if they then find out that in reality, a cis-het actor played this character, it may make them think that the idea of being LGBT is only something in fiction, and that in reality, finding a supportive community is difficult. It reminds us of how the LGBT community, however vocal, is still a minority–a view many openly LGBT individuals may have upon seeing a straight actor play an LGBT role.
As for benefits of queer actors playing queer roles, it’s pretty obvious–it’s accurate representation and a broadening of diversity and inclusivity within the film industry, which is currently still mostly saturated with cis-het individuals. In particular, when it comes to transgender characters, nobody can accurately portray all the little nuances of the trans experience apart from real trans individuals. There is a sense of authenticity and respect when queer folks are allowed to bring their complex stories and history to the set, and that will resonate to the audience. This includes the closeted viewers mentioned earlier–they would then see this successful queer person just like them on the big screen, and they would think, ‘So I do have a community. So I can relate to this person, who is embracing their identity. Maybe I can embrace myself, too.’
