In an April 2010 Newsweek web column, Ramin Setoodeh argued that, "While it's OK for straight actors to play gay (as Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger did in Brokeback Mountain), it's rare for someone to pull off the trick in reverse." He further argues that unlike straight actors who play gay, the sexuality of gay actors who play straight is an issue because "the fact is, an actor's background does affect how we see his or her performance." Not surprisingly, the column has resulted in a sharp rebuke from the gay arts community.
What do you think? Is an actor's sexuality really only an issue for audiences when he or she is gay, but playing straight? When you are watching a gay actor play straight, is his or her sexuality an factor in believability of the role? Next, why are there currently no major openly gay actors or actresses? Finally, if Setoodeh is indeed correct, what must change so that gay actors are allowed more freedom onscreen?
Due: Wednesday, May 12
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