Ethan Hawke: There’s ‘almost zero’ homophobia in younger generation now
Ethan Hawke has said there is “almost zero” homophobia in his children’s generation, because of frequent portrayals of homosexuality in the media.
The 43-year-old actor, who first starred in Dead Poets Society aged 15, said the changes he’s seen within Hollywood during his career have had a vast impact.
He told the Toronto Star: “It’s been fascinating to me.
“One of the biggest differences I think between my generation and my kids is that they have almost zero homophobia.
“They’ve grown up thinking that it’s not a big deal to have gay characters on TV or in movies like Boys Don’t Cry or Kiss of the Spider Woman.
“There are all these things that started this (gay acceptance) ball rolling, and now people are really comfortable talking about it. I think you’ll see a lot less teen suicide in the coming years. I really do believe that.”
Speaking about 1955 film Rebel Without a Cause – noted for its homosexual undertones – Hawke added: “It’s a great example right now of how much more comfortable we are confronting sexuality than in the past.
“It doesn’t have to be all tucked away in innuendo any more, even in the way Tennessee Williams would have to tuck it away at the very end of his life.”
