Today's topic of discussion.

[hackthis_archive]

In today's Variety there's an article on Brokeback Mountain, one of many that have come out over the last few months and which will doubtlessly be followed by many more. I mention this because in reading it this comment caught my eye,


I don't believe they would have ever allowed an openly queer director to make this movie, nor do I believe that actors of this calibre would have signed on. In a long line of ironic outcomes, it took these guys [Jake Gyllenhaal & Heath Ledger] with impeccable heterosexual credentials to make this kind of breakthrough.
-Critic and author B. Ruby Rich

Do you lot agree with that?

Discuss.

Comments

[raveninthewind.livejournal.com]

Yes, I agree, mainly because the homophobia in society makes it risky for lesser-known actors to take that sort of risk. When I think of the stories about casting for Queer As Folk U.S., that opinion's born out by the evidence.

I'd like sexual orientation not to matter to anyone so that people could feel free to come out. It's getting better here in the U.S.; people are coming out earlier and earlier.

But I don't really have more to say, sorry.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

Earlier? Mr Sulu (http://www.tvguide.com/News/Entertainment/) finally came out at 68! I suppose at least he wasn't forced to do a Rock Hudson, but still, yeesh.

[raveninthewind.livejournal.com]

There was a Time article recently on eh trend for young people to come out in high school instead of college of after.

I think he's a different case--different generation. But I'd expect even someone in his/her 30s to hesitate about coming out in Hollywood.