Gay Filmmaker Tells Young Gay Actors To Stay In The Closet

Written by Jeff Katz | Monday, 13 July 2009

Outfest, the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Film festival, kicked off last week and this weekend created some fireworks—though not from any amazing films. During a panel discussion entitled “Taking It to the Streets: LGBT Directors Get Political,” Emmy-award winning out director Todd Holland said he advises young gay actors to stay in the closet in order to further their careers.

No surprise that such a comment came with loud reaction from the audience, many surprised and bothered by the advice. While Holland defended his advice citing he was simply being realistic having worked in the industry for some time, you have to wonder what place such advice has at a film festival meant to celebrate queer film and nurture GLBT filmmakers and artists.

While I’m not an actor or filmmaker and don’t work directly in that industry (though some consider entertainment media adjacent to it), it seems that whether we’re talking accounting or Hollywood, telling people to remain in the closet only worsens the burden of finally (if ever) coming out. I get that actors don’t want to get typecasted as the gay actor can only play gay, or audiences won’t believe a gay actor playing a straight character. But we really haven’t tried it yet!

Holland’s advice may be coming from a genuine place, and based upon a wealth of experience in the industry, but that advice may also be a little dated at this point. A lot has changed in the GLBT landscape in just the past few years alone. We see more and more musicians coming out of the closet from the start of their careers and gaining acceptance, attention and, in many cases, major accolades. (Note: Check out Instinct’s May 2009 issue for a whole package on the new breed of queer rockstars.) Why? Not because they’re gay, but because they do great work.

Who is to say that the same success can’t or won’t be found in film? We’ll never know if we kept telling people to keep that closet door shut.

Comments (8) Add Comment

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written by Jonathan Higbee, July 13, 2009

I wish I had been sitting in on that discussion and had the chance to let the director here my boo of disapproval in person...

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written by Thom Jarboe, July 13, 2009

I agree, I feel like the more we hide the more we are affirming that being gay is an 'issue' and thus the longer it will remain one in the general public.

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written by Steve C., July 13, 2009

I think this was a huge missetp bythat filmmaker. And Outfest is certainly not the place to be saying this.

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written by MarkinTown, July 13, 2009

I agree, and it does suck that Outfest would at least seem to stand behind this, though it is one man's opinion. But, there have been some out actors who have publicly said they regret coming out or it has effecting their work.

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written by Joey Muscelli, July 14, 2009

I dissagree. it should br the decision of the actor or actress as to wether they should reveal their true self. After all, look what it's done for Neal Patrick Harris, T R Knight, Ellen and a number of others whov'e come out of the closet.

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written by Evan Atkinson, July 14, 2009

It is a reality for actors to be typecast, no matter how famous/rich you are, so Todd's advice is misguided.

He seems to think that an actor will get the part easier if he's not an out gay actor. Being an actor is not easy, and very few starting their acting career have any guarantee they will be successful. So if there are no guarantees of anything, why not live your truth?

Todd said what he says because he observes that being a gay actor in today's Hollywood can sometimes mean you don't get the part just because youâ€™re gay, but let's all agree it should not be that way and then endeavor to change it.

If you're a producer or director of a film and you're considering an actor who you happen to know is gay, don't write them off because of that! Qualify them based on their talent, whether they're "right" for the part, and if they're easy to work with! Having a hard-working, easy-to-get-along-with cast and crew just makes the challenging process of making a movie or TV show that much more enjoyable. Let's not make it harder than it is.

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written by Shawn G, July 14, 2009

In slight defense, there are actors who are out and say that it was very tough, or in some cases still is tough, to be out and get rolls. Let's not forget, Ellen says she was blacklisted from Hollywood for years because of her coming out.

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