Oscar winning actress Kate Winslet exposes the homophobia in Hollywood, claiming she knows “at least 4 actors afraid to come out.”
From an outsider’s point of view, Hollywood appears to be progressing. Yet Kate Winslet has revealed the outdated approach to not casting LGBTQ actors to play straight roles. In an interview with UK’s Sunday Times, the actress says it causes queer-identifying actors to stay ‘in the closet’ in fear of ruining their career.
The 45-year-old claimed to know several actors worried that they will be exposed,
“I cannot tell you the number of young actors I know – some well known, some starting out – who are terrified their sexuality will be revealed and that it will stand in the way of their being casted in straight roles.”
Kate went on to mention that some Hollywood agents tell their up-and-coming clients not to publicise their sexuality. She didn’t drop any names, however she mentioned,
“A well-known actor has just got an American agent and the agent said, ‘I understand you are bisexual. I wouldn’t publicise that.
“I can think of at least four actors absolutely hiding their sexuality. It’s painful.”
Hollywood Stigma
Homophobia holds an underlying misbelief about feminine and masculine traits, especially in gay men. Which leads to the problematic “can gay men play a straight role?” question. The Titanic star told the newspaper that the stigma in Hollywood applies to “men more than anything.”
Kate Winslet received some criticism as she recently played a lesbian in Ammonite as a straight actress. However, during her interview Winslet mentioned she was the only person offered the role.
“We could have had a conversation about how I feel about playing a lesbian and possibly taking that role from somebody. But I’m done with not being honest about what my real opinions are… in taking this part I had an opportunity to bring an LGBTQ story into living rooms.”
Kate Winslet has exposed the homophobia operating behind-the-scenes of Hollywood’s film industry. In her interview with Sunday Times, she says that Hollywood needs a #MeToo movement for the LGBTQ community.
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