Jared Leto: Hollywood still discriminates against gay actors
The Suicide Squad actor says Hollywood won’t allow gay leads the same opportunities as their straight counterparts.
Jared Leto has hit out at the film industry, claiming that Hollywood studios limit the opportunities given to openly gay actors.
“I definitely don’t think a gay leading man would have the same opportunities as a straight leading man,” Leto told GQ.
“I don’t think that. Not for a single second.
“I don’t know if that’s offensive or not, but that’s my thought right now.”
However, despited thinking the discrimination is unfair, the actor says it is the reality of working in the film industry.
“It shouldn’t be that way. I don’t think you’ll have as many opportunities. And I think you could say the same for minorities,” he said
“Anyway, no, I think that this is still a very conservative business.”
Leto won an Oscar for his role in Dallas Buyers Club – in which he played a trans character named Rayon.
His win was criticised by some LGBT activists, as they believed the role should have gone to a trans actor.
Earlier this year, Oscar nominee, Chiwetel Ejiofor, star of 12 Years A Slave, said he thought it was harder to be gay than black in Hollywood.
“I hope this changes, but I think it’s probably harder to be gay,” he told the Times.
“Sexuality is still marginalised in a way that is pretty open. I think it’s tough.”
Meanwhile, Leto’s Suicide Squad Cara Delevingne recently opened up about her own sexuality, which she says she refuses to label.
“I’m obviously in love, so if people want to say I’m gay, that’s great. But we’re all liquid – we change, we grow.”
Delevingne made the comments whilst discussing her same-sex relationship with rumoured fiancee Annie Clark.
Suicide Squad is in cinemas from August 4.
