I am not a believer in someone having to be gay to play a gay character. I think all actors should get the same consideration. In fact, having straight people play gay characters helps to normalize gays as people, another character to be played, not some evil that must be avoided as it once was.
@XSGeek @Iskios Definitely, but at the time that was standard procedure. That doesn't mean standard procedure wasn't insensitive or racist.
I look back on my enjoyment of Thoroughly Modern Millie and Big Trouble in Little China, both of which contain unflattering stereotypes, and wonder about my own culpability. (In both cases, all of the characters are over the top and exaggerated, so I'm torn about how to feel.)
@sfleetucker @XSGeek Yes, but you have to take them in context. Questioning yourself about those things is great, and we should all do it, but in context, those stereotypes were part of the culture. You weren't being racist because you thought they were funny. Many people of color find the stereotypes funny too, they just don't want us to apply them to everyone like we once did.
@XSGeek @Iskios Agreed. There’s one other thing to consider. Some of those projects gave the community visibility because they starred big name actors, and helped people in the most repressed parts of the country see themselves in media for the first time.
Some of those actors/actresses took on risk to play those parts, and many of them, as caricatured as they were, were still very positive and strong portrayals. I’m not sure that today’s queer artist would have the roles they do without them.