The Stage

Exclusive: Survey reveals effect of being openly gay on actors’ careers

Published Thursday 26 January 2012 at 11:04 by Matthew Hemley

Almost half of all gay performers have not come out to their agents, with more than a third admitting they have experienced homophobia in the industry.

The figures are among the findings of a survey conducted by Equity investigating whether it is safe to be ‘out’ in the entertainment industry. The survey was open to all the union’s members, with the majority of those who took part working as performers.

Although the report found that 81% of respondents are out in their professional life, and that 94% are honest about their sexuality to their fellow performers, only 57% list their agent as someone they are open about their sexuality to.

Comments left by respondents highlight how actors feel that telling agents and casting directors will limit the parts they are offered, with most saying they worry roles offered to them might be restricted because they are openly gay. A third claim they have experienced homophobia in the industry.

Equity equalities officer Max Beckmann said: “The finding that 81% of survey respondents are out in their professional lives and that 73% found the decision to be out easy is hugely encouraging and suggests an industry in which it is safe to be out. What is troubling is the finding that only 57% of respondents are out to their agents and it’s particularly concerning 35% of respondents have experienced homophobia in their professional lives. This goes some way to explaining that many respondents say they weigh up whether or not to come out on a job by job basis, and while not hiding their orientation often do not ‘broadcast it’.

“Comments also suggest that actors remain fearful that coming out will hinder their prospects of being cast in certain roles such as romantic leads.”

While three-quarters of respondents say coming out has not had an effect on their careers, the survey also reveals that performers do still worry about the negative impact being openly gay might have on their working life.

When asked what they feel the “negative implications” are, more than half claim they fear roles available might be restricted, with 54% naming “stereotypical” casting as another and 42% saying “becoming the target of discrimination”.

One complains: “I have seen others sidelined due to their sexuality and I know that I have been sidelined too.” Another writes that “it’s okay for a straight actor to play gay roles but harder, if not impossible, the other way round”.

Some report on the negative experiences of being out to their agents, with one claiming: “A previous agent of mine once told me to keep quiet about my sexuality and, although I am out, I do not broadcast it.”

Beckmann said the comments left as part of the survey suggest “the picture is less positive” for lesbians, with “respondents commenting that the industry is less supportive towards lesbians than gay men”.

Discussing homophobia, one respondent says: “I got home from picking up money at a venue where I work and a random man screamed ‘fucking lesbian’ as I walked inside.”

Of those who complain about homophobia, 57% say it was other performers being homophobic, with around 20% saying producers and 37% saying backstage crew members.

Despite this, most performers who took part say they would encourage another performer to be out. The majority of respondents claim that not coming out is detrimental to a person’s health.

Equity spokesman Martin Brown said the survey is “part of a process of encouraging members to be out at work”.

He said the union will talk to the Personal Managers Association about the “significant number of performers who are not out with their agents” and to employers “about the one-in-three performers who have had difficulties at work as a result of their sexuality”.

“The key part of this campaign, which will be a continuing process across this year and into the future, is raising the issue of being out among members and in the industry and challenging the perception that because the entertainment industry is perceived to be tolerant of differing sexualities there are no problems at all,” he said.

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• Newsblog: Is acting as gay-friendly as we think?