Dear, Victor & Casting Directors
I just finished the first season of ‘Love, Victor’ and I have some things to say. First I want to say that I am not discrediting the acting skills of the actors, I love that there are LGBTQ+ shows coming out especially during Pride Month, we need more representation on tv and movies! Especially non stereotypical roles. But speaking about representation, thats where the problem is.
I found out that the male leads are straight actors. So here’s the dilemma, I think I can speak on majority of the LGBTQ+ community, when I say that not enough LGBTQ+ people get enough opportunities. I love that Hollywood is putting together all these productions but the problem is majority of the time its heterosexual actors that play us! I understand the point of acting, is to perform a character for a production etc, I am a performing artist myself so I get it. Before I even start this debate, I know people will say “Well gay actors have played straight roles” , Yes, there have been times, for example, Matt Bomer in ‘White Collar’ or Neil Patrick Harris in ‘ How I Met Your Mother’ , but when you compare , there are more heterosexual actors showcased. Now some of you may say, “Well maybe these heterosexual actors are more talented for the role” , well let me tell you something, we have SO MANY TALENTED LTBGQ+ PEOPLE THAT PERFORM. The problem is that half us can’t even get into the room because we are “Too Queer” , “Too Gay” , “HE Looks Too Femme” etc … FOR THESE ROLES!
From personal experience and from friends experiences in the industry, we have been told we wouldn’t fit a role (sometimes without even getting into the room) because people wouldn’t believe us , since in real life we may be “Too Gay” etc, for a role. I call that complete bullshit, Do you say someone is “Too Straight” to play a LGBTQ+ character? Hollywood, Casting directors please step it up when it comes to casting. Just because we are LGBTQ+ does not mean we can’t tell a story of someone/character that has a different sexuality than us in real life.
I just dont want to shit on ‘Love , Victor’ , this new show is just a recent example and sparked controversy with another straight lead playing a gay character. There have been numerous movies and shows that a heterosexual lead won awards/was praised for performing as a gay character ; “Brokeback Mountain” , ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ , ‘Glee’ , ‘The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story’ etc…
The point of this article is to just say, if you are going to bring so many heterosexual people in a room to play an LGBTQ+ role, then you should be doing the same for LGBTQ+ artists when there is a heterosexual role. PERIOD!
Love,
Antonio
