Gay Actors Say Coming Out Affects Roles They Get
THE GUARDIAN: Equity survey finds only 57% of gay actors feel they can be open about their sexuality to their agents

A survey has revealed that gay actors still feel that coming out affects the roles they get to play. Though recent years have seen successful, out actors from Russell Tovey to Ian McKellen playing heterosexual parts like Steve in Him & Her and King Lear respectively, only 57% of the gay actors who responded to the survey, by the actors union Equity, felt they could be open about their sexuality to agents.

One gay actor, quoted in theatre trade paper the Stage, said: "A previous agent of mine once told me to keep quiet about my sexuality and though I am out, I do not broadcast it."
However, 81% described themselves as out in their professional lives and 94% said they did not conceal their sexuality to fellow performers.

Over half of the gay actors who responded to the survey said that they feared being offered only stereotypical roles if they came out, while being denied romantic leads in particular.

One said: "I have seen others sidelined due to their sexuality and I know that I have been sidelined too." Another said: "It's OK for a straight actor to play gay roles but harder, if not impossible, the other way round."

Last January, Rupert Everett told the Observer that he regretted coming out, saying: "For an actor to be working (at all) is a kind of miracle, because most actors aren't. So it's just silly for a working actor to say, 'Oh, I don't care if anybody knows I'm gay' – especially if you're a leading man." » | Alex Needham | Thursday, January 26, 2012