Colton Haynes wants Hollywood to do better for gay actors
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 20: Actor Colton Haynes attends the Costume Designers Guild Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 20, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for JumpLine)
Actor Colton Haynes has called out Hollywood on its lack of LGBT representation in a series of tweets that have now been deleted.
Haynes called for more opportunity for minorities, should they be members of the LGBT community or from a religious or ethnic minority. He tweeted his thoughts on being a gay actor in Hollywood on Sunday, before deleting his thread – but not before they were picked up by websites including Out.
The actor, who has starred in several productions including The CW’s Arrow, Teen Wolf and American Horror Story, wrote: ”Hollywood is a very odd place. I’ve been here for 12 yrs. I just pray that the LGBTQ+ community gets more chances to star in roles.”
“We’ve had amazing trailblazers & ppl who’ve made it thru the criticism thk god. It doesn’t have to be me, but this town is run by our community,” he added.
“Just because you like the same sex doesn’t mean you can’t carry a film.”
Haynes also discussed Hollywood’s general lack of diversity, pushing for more diverse casts: “It’s not just the LGBT+ community but it’s also ppl of color, minorities… give us all a chance.”
The actor acknowledged the industry’s recent efforts to be more inclusive, but added: “Every single person deserves a shot at their dreams no matter their sex, ethnicity, or background.”
- (Call Me By Your Name)
Haynes comments came just days before GLAAD published a report highlighting that LGBT representation was down in Hollywood in 2017.
In its sixth annual Studio Responsibility Index, the LGBT advocacy group said that representation had gone even worse in the past year.
The index records the number of LGBT people featured in films released by the seven biggest motion picture studios.
In 2017, only 14 major motion pictures featured LGBT characters, and only 28 openly LGBT characters appeared on-screen.
These numbers are down from 70 in 2015 and 47 in 2016.
“At a time when the entertainment industry is holding much-needed discussions about inclusion, now is the time to ensure the industry takes meaningful action and incorporates LGBTQ stories and creators as among priorities areas for growing diversity,” said GLAAD chief executive Sarah Kate Ellis.
Haynes split up from his husband of six months, Jeff Leatham in early May. The pair got married in November 2017.
- Colton Haynes and Jeff Leatham attend FX Networks celebration of their Emmy nominees in partnership with Vanity Fair at Craft on September 16, 2017 in Century City, California. (Charley Gallay/Getty)
The couple cited irreconcilable differences as their cause for separation.
Rumours that Leatham had been unfaithful surfaced soon after the announcement.
Haynes set the record straight on Twitter, writing: “Jeff would never cheat. He’s an amazing man. Please stop being mean to him.”
