While I find the gender issue interesting, you are far from an idiot.

While we know that gay men and women (both in or out) have portrayed straight characters throughout the years, how do you as a gay man feel about straight actors playing gay men?

The first one that always comes to mind is Eric whatshisname who played Will on Will and Grace. But of course there have been more: Heath and Jake in Brokeback, Kevin Kline and Tom Selleck in In & Out, etc.

I can't answer for GC, but it doesn't matter a whit for me if a gay man plays straight or a straight man plays gay, or if Linda Hunt plays a man. Who gives a fig? These are actors. The whole point is to portray something you are not, and do it convincingly.

And I don't need to have similar personal experiences to empathize with any particular character or situation ... but when that co-incidence happens, it can make for a stronger effect on me.



or not. All depends on execution.



And popular usually is some indicator of good. Except for when it's not.

It doesn't matter to me, either. Just as long as the representation is more than just a stereotype. Then again, some stereotyping of gay men I have enjoyed. I loved Nathan Lane's Albert in The Birdcage. Then again again, I know men like him so was he a stereotype?

As for Heath and Jake, I'm holding out that they're both gay and will have a snog fest with me.

One of the portrayals I did have a problem with was Felicity Huffman in Transamerica. I wanted to see a man play that part.

I just want the characters to be interesting, fascinating even. I don't care much if I relate to them or not. Actually, sometimes it is more interesting for me if they are completely different. I can live a life in someone else's shoes for a couple hours.

I figured that most would not have a problem with straight for gay.

It is a sometimes made argument that "minorities" (for lack of a better term) should be portrayed by that minority. In other words, there are (gay) folks who would have no problem with a gay man portraying a straight man on film, but would be genuinely pissed at a straight man portraying a gay man. And yes, I believe that they would be the fringe minority.

Is there a gay equivalent of the "feminazi" - a hard-core militant gay right individual?

I have problems with gay for pay ... but that's sort of a tangent, no?

LOL

I've already made too many OT posts in this thread.

But if gay for pay were popular, would that make it good?

Hmmm... "Gay for pay..." I'll have to put that little phrase in my pocket and think about it.

You know you want to:D