Sexual Orientation equality in TV and Movies. Possible? I think Yes.

 Not too long ago there was an article in Newsweek, by a gay writer no less, stating that gays cannot play straight roles. What???? What I found funny was that not only have they been doing it, but they've been doing it well. One of the actors he mentioned, Jonathan Goff, is on one of my favorite shows, Glee. I guess I have no gaydar because I had no idea the actor was gay. It seems to me that when you make a big deal is when it may become an issue for some viewers. Personally, there are many actors that I KNOW are gay who play straight VERY well, for instance Neil Patrick Harris' character on "How I Met Your Mother". He plays womanizer Barney and I find his portrayal pretty funny, I believe the character.

TR Knight played George, a straight character, on "Greys Anatomy" that seemed to resonate with viewers. On the female side Portia DeRossi played straight characters on "Aly McBeal" as well as "Better Off Ted". In fact both characters were pretty busy in the straight bedroom. Hell, I didn't even know the actress was gay until she hooked up Ellen Degeneres. 

Would YOU have guessed these actors were gay? BEFORE, you heard they were? 20/20 hindsight makes a lot of people say, "Oh yeah, I knew they were gay." Well I don't always believe that. In fact we can go all the way back to the 60's and 70's when gays were not accepted at all. Two of the biggest stars of the day, Richard Chamberlain and Rock Hudson, were portraying leading men in movies and on TV. Richard Chamberlain played the charming but dedicated doctor, Dr. Kildare. Rock Hudson portrayed the equally charming husband and private detective on McMillan and Wife.

 Rock Hudson was deathly afraid of his secret life coming out, so much so that when he became the first celebrity afflicted with AIDS, he still refused to "come out". Thankfully times have changed to a certain degree. It is sad that so many famous actors are STILL in the closet and terribly afraid that their careers will be ruined if they "come out". There are many more actors and actresses out these days. It seems that it is much easier for the females to come out. Most of the time they plead bi-sexuality. Much easier for men to fantasy about that I think. All out lesbian women have a harder time I think unless they are beautiful to men, like Portia DeRossi. Right now there is a lesbian on the soap opera "Young and the Restless", she is "playing it straight". In fact she is part of a triangle. That would be Clementine Ford, daughter of Cybil Shepherd. Although, from what I understand, there isn't a lot of chemistry between her and her co-stars. Many would use that as a reason why gays shouldn't play straight. But, chemistry fails between straight couples as well. Otherwise we'd all have chemistry with each other!

Movie actor Rupert Everett claims that he doesn't get anymore good roles since he "came out". I don't think he can blame his being gay is the reason. Perhaps television is more accepting, maybe he needs to change genres, I don't know. All I know is that TV seems to be the place to be whether you are gay playing straight or straight playing gay. I mean it worked for Sean Hayes, being gay and playing gay, as well as for his Will and Grace co-stars Eric McCormack being straight and playing gay and Megan Mullaley being gay and playing straight. I know, confusing, isn't it?!

Movies have Brokeback Mountain and many other films that have straight men playing gay and gay men playing straight....but I don't know if I've seen any gay men playing gay, that I know of....now that would be a novel idea.

Well time for me to go kiddies....wonder if I'll have chemistry with someone at the grocery store. ;-)