Jared Leto: Hollywood still discriminates against gay actors
Jared Leto doesn't believe gay actors are given the same opportunities as straight actors
“I definitely don’t think a gay leading man would have the same opportunities as a straight leading man. I don’t think that. Not for a single second.”
–Actor Jared Leto, speaking with GQ Style about what he sees as fewer opportunities for an openly gay actor to play a wider range of roles than a straight counterpart. Leto said the film industry overall is “still a conservative business,” particularly when it comes to sexual orientation.
“It shouldn’t be that way,” Leto said of Hollywood’s conservatism. “I don’t think you’ll have as many opportunities. And I think you could say the same for minorities.”
But at the same time, Leto also acknowledged that the film industry is becoming more open to non-traditional ideas of masculinity.
“We’re in an interesting time right now where people are exploring all kinds of different ideas of identity, not just masculinity or femininity,” he said. “Maybe a whole new paradigm. I think that’s great. Because a lot of people probably are marginalized still, and finding a sense of identity is critical to empowering people.
“For myself, I have never had a specific idea of masculinity,” Leto said. “I think it’s okay just to be yourself and whatever that entails…. I’ve certainly never felt required to present myself in a certain way.”
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