Is straight acting for a gay character acting normal?

[marylander1940]

Twitter freaks out after straight actor says his gay character “acts straight and acts normal”

 

“There are a lot of people who think you should have a gay actor playing a gay character, but that’s like saying you should get someone in a wheelchair to play a character in a wheelchair.

 

I think it’s important that we are expressing it. We specifically designed the character to act straight and act normal.

 

When I say “normal”, I mean he’s not like the characters on Modern Family, where they are flamboyant and camp and they walk around tiptoeing.

 

That creates separation – that’s us and them. It shouldn’t be like that. It should be all equal and no-one should have a problem with that. The way other characters act around my character is that there is never a problem at all.”

 

 

 

https://www.queerty.com/twitter-freaks-straight-actor-says-gay-character-acts-straight-acts-normal-20170630?utm_source=Queerty+Subscribers&utm_campaign=7940bfbb61-20170701_Queerty_Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_221c27272a-7940bfbb61-428239205

Op's note: not all gay men are flamboyant or act "masculine" but who am I to judge how "normal" yinz or me are? I think I know what he (the actor) meant and he never meant to criticize anybody. I believe Modern family portray of a gay couple is very accurate but I never watched his show to compare it.

[LookingAround]

I act "straight" as my normal way of behaving. What's the problem?

[Epigonos]

I don't object to the fact that straight actors frequently play gay characters. What I really find offensive is the fact that you virtually NEVER see an openly gay actor playing a straight romantic lead. That sucks. Talk about a double standard.

[LaffingBear]

Maybe some day we'll get beyond characterizing behaviors as straight or gay.

 

There may be specifically gay actions. Like a guy being attracted to a guy. Or a guy sucking a guys dick. But behaviors, often meaning mannerisms... like flamboyant, tiptoeing, campy..... those arent really gay or straight.

The perpetuation of behavioral stereotypes only do harm.

 

I think many are obsessed with stereotypical gay mannerisms as if they're somehow un-masculine behavior. The dictionary defines masculine in terms of traditional associations. In reality, a guy labelled nelly, a guy with limp-wrists, is no less manly than the gruff-spoken, hairy chested lumberjack. We're just hungup on stereotypes ....

 

The key word in "straight-acting" is acting, not straight. Guys who describe themselves as straight-acting are really saying either "Im concerned that others may somehow associate my being gay with traditional feminine sterotypical behaviors" or "I'm faking it, because I'm afraid to just be myself"

 

If gays continue to define behaviors as straight, it conveys conformity with "normal." That may further tolerance. But not genuine acceptance.

[Kenny]

The other word for "straight acting" is misogynist. "Straight acting" means "not like a gurrrl, cuz that's icky!"

[LookingAround]

The other word for "straight acting" is misogynist. "Straight acting" means "not like a gurrrl, cuz that's icky!"

Bullshit.

[+ quoththeraven]

I don't object to the fact that straight actors frequently play gay characters. What I really find offensive is the fact that you virtually NEVER see an openly gay actor playing a straight romantic lead. That sucks. Talk about a double standard.

Not a movie, but Matt Bomer's character on White Collar had convincing season-long romantic relationships with women. To me, that qualifies as a straight romantic lead.

 

I agree with you that it's a double standard that probably exists because of the belief that audiences who know an actor is gay can't buy him as a straight romantic lead. That's pure prejudice, though. Rock Hudson and Richard Chamberlain were some of the most sought after romantic leads ever.

[+ quoththeraven]

The other word for "straight acting" is misogynist. "Straight acting" means "not like a gurrrl, cuz that's icky!"

As a description, "straight acting" is masculinist, not misogynist. Thinking being straight acting is better or necessary may be misogynist.

 

I agree that some part of the hatred and marginalization of gay men has to do with identifying them with that weak and despised group, women, but the misogyny involved is more a second tier issue than a first tier issue.

[rvwnsd]

I understand what the actor is trying to say - the character was not written to be a stereotype and he isn't playing him like one.

 

It would be nice if people could listen more and pick apart every word everyone says less.

[Chuckball]

Gay actors never acting in straight roles? What about Rock Hudson and others?

[+ bashful]

Gay actors never acting in straight roles? What about Rock Hudson and others?

 

Robert Reed (Brady Bunch), Raymond Burr (Perry Mason, Ironside), just off the top of my head.

 

Edit - Dick Sargent (the 2nd Darrin on Bewitched)

[+ azdr0710]

@Epigonos , in his post upthread, is wishing for an openly gay actor to play a straight romantic lead.....except for Matt Bomer, the actors mentioned in the couple posts just above were not out while acting.....

[+ bashful]

@Epigonos , in his post upthread, is wishing for an openly gay actor to play a straight romantic lead.....except for Matt Bomer, the actors mentioned just above were not out while acting.....

 

Good point. None of those I mentioned were out.

[OCClient]

Not a movie, but Matt Bomer's character on White Collar had convincing season-long romantic relationships with women. To me, that qualifies as a straight romantic lead.

 

I agree with you that it's a double standard that probably exists because of the belief that audiences who know an actor is gay can't buy him as a straight romantic lead. That's pure prejudice, though. Rock Hudson and Richard Chamberlain were some of the most sought after romantic leads ever.

 

Matt Bomer also played a straight romantic interest in Space Station 76, his love interest played by the sultry Liv Tyler. The closeted gay ship captain was played by a straight dude, Patrick Wilson.

[OCClient]

We know what he was trying to say, and yeah, sometimes when words aren't chosen well they can sound offensive. LGBTQ encompasses a lot of different kinds of people. There is also a wide variety of gay constructs screaming for attention that are easily identifiable. They shout RAINBOW. But most of the gay and lesbian people we see on the street, or at work, etc. don't immediately jump out as being LGTBQ. So what is a better word for that besides normal?

[mike carey]

The basic meaning of 'normal' is typical or expected, not correct or accepted. It does, however, often carry the latter subtext, hence our hesitancy to describe something as 'normal male behaviour'. The word 'abnormal', according to the Oxford means not normal, typically in a worrying or undesirable way. Thus, it would be fair to say that homosexuality is not normal, in that it is relatively uncommon, but it is not abnormal. That doesn't make the conversation any easier, but it does allow us to offer a counterargument when people try to say that which is not normal is wrong.

[+ quoththeraven]

@Epigonos , in his post upthread, is wishing for an openly gay actor to play a straight romantic lead.....except for Matt Bomer, the actors mentioned in the couple posts just above were not out while acting.....

And the fact that Hudson and Chamberlain were considered convincing when their gayness was not known demonstrates that any reluctance to cast out gay men as straight romantic leads is pandering to something that may not exist and if it does, it's purely a result of stereotyping and prejudice.

[MikeyGMin]

So what is a better word for that besides normal?

I have no problem with what the actor said. I think it's obvious his heart is in the right place. However, as @mike carey mentions, "normal" has so many negative connotations that I think it is best avoided when you're comparing groups. (I have a nephew with Down Syndrome and you should see my sister bristle anytime someone compares him to "normal" kids.)

 

I think a much better word choice is "typical" although a lot of the uber politically correct or effeminate men will not like that either. Don't give a damn though. Just like I'm tired of politicians with alternative facts, I find it tedious when gay men don't acknowledge that there are typical masculine traits within a culture. I don't think anyone should have to conform to them or be shamed when they don't, but that doesn't deny the fact that they are real and that most straight men adopt them with ease and many gay men do not.

 

I look at my group of friends and only one has no OGTs. (Obviously Gay Traits - from the movie Broken Hearts Club.) People are shocked when they find out he is gay. Another has traits that a gay man will recognize -- gym sculpted body, skin tight t-shirts, impeccable grooming -- but you would still wonder if he is gay or just Metro. All of the rest of us have enough OGTs that we would recognize each other as "family" either immediately or pretty quickly.

 

I believe there are common behaviors that are typically exhibited by sraight men and other behaviors that are more typically exhibited by gay men. That doesn't deny fairly common exceptions for both groups that result in a full spectrum. I just think that spectrum is sort of a bell curve.

[+ WilliamM]

I agree that some part of the hatred and marginalization of gay men has to do with identifying them with that weak and despised group, women, but the misogyny involved is more a second tier issue than a first tier issue.

 

Or perhaps a third tier issue.

 

However, after thinking it over for a while, I greatly respect @Kenny's opinion on issues like this.

[+ purplekow]

While they may not be on film, in real life there are millions of gay men who are acting straight.

 

Semantics is a bitch. If rather than "normal", he had said: "My character was developed in a manner which avoided stereotypical gay cliches"; or if he had said: "I play my character in a way to avoid overt affectations" this would not be news. Yet it is clear to me that was the intent of his words and at the core all three phrasing carry the message that there is a gay template.

 

So, I think it is time suck up the excessive righteous indignation about "normal", right ladies.

 

Oh my stars, I used the word suck in a sentence and did not do a slyly sexual wink. I may need to redo that. Oh maybe I should have left out the "right ladies". Did that sound too gay? I was going for really normal in this post. Damned, I will check my delivery in the mirror, get the sneer to coincide with saying the word suck, get rid of the "right ladies", butch it up a bit and this can probably pass as a normal guy making a normal posting on a gay escort site. Possibly, I need to eliminate "oh my stars".

 

I tell you, it is becoming increasingly difficult to make sure I do not sound too gay.

[rvwnsd]

While they may not be on film, in real life there are millions of gay men who are acting straight.

 

Semantics is a bitch. If rather than "normal", he had said: "My character was developed in a manner which avoided stereotypical gay cliches"; or if he had said: "I play my character in a way to avoid overt affectations" this would not be news. Yet it is clear to me that was the intent of his words and at the core all three phrasing carry the message that there is a gay template.

 

So, I think it is time suck up the excessive righteous indignation about "normal", right ladies.

 

Oh my stars, I used the word suck in a sentence and did not do a slyly sexual wink. I may need to redo that. Oh maybe I should have left out the "right ladies". Did that sound too gay? I was going for really normal in this post. Damned, I will check my delivery in the mirror, get the sneer to coincide with saying the word suck, get rid of the "right ladies", butch it up a bit and this can probably pass as a normal guy making a normal posting on a gay escort site. Possibly, I need to eliminate "oh my stars".

 

I tell you, it is becoming increasingly difficult to make sure I do not sound too gay.

 

+10,001

[LaffingBear]

You either believe that words matter, or they dont.

 

Humans are extraordinarily impressionable. And herd animals. There are industries built on it. Its the basis for the entire marketing promotions industry. The effects on politics... well, that discussion belongs in a different forum.

 

We live in an age of information inundation. If reality was that everyone really took the time to listen, interpret, attempt to discern intent... then words might matter less.

 

The trend of labelling fake news has given rise to more psychological publications demonstrating people hear what they want to hear. Believe reports and actions that match pre-existing beliefs and values, and disregard information contrary to those values.

 

I wish it was otherwise. I'd prefer we lived in a world where actions and intent were given equal consideration - we don't. Information influences society. Words matter.

 

Every time someone uses normal as an antonym for gay, no matter their intent, they restrict full acceptance, limiting reaction to tolerance.

[+ quoththeraven]

Everyone knows, or should know, the connotation of the word normal and its opposite, abnormal. They've been used judgmentally rather than descriptively against anyone not conforming with norms for a long time.

 

It may not bother you or you may be able to read past it. That doesn't mean others' criticism is unreasonable. How something is presented matters.

[mike carey]

Everyone knows, or should know, the connotation of the word normal and its opposite, abnormal.

I came into this discussion with the view that both normal and abnormal were all about what is standard and what is not. I was surprised by the Oxford definitions that said that was the case with normal, but that abnormal generally had the negative connotations. I'll be more careful in my usage in the future. But I will continue to argue against people who use normal judgmentally rather than descriptively. Too often they assume, for their own purposes, that its use is judgmental when it was clearly descriptive.

[marylander1940]

The other word for "straight acting" is misogynist. "Straight acting" means "not like a gurrrl, cuz that's icky!"

 

to me straight acting sounds dumb, yet I get what it usually means.