Kate Winslet says she knows of a number of actors who are scared of coming out for fears doing so would end their careers.
Kate Winslet says a culture of homophobia is preventing a number of stars to stay closeted out of fears over their careers.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, Winslet says she knows “at least four” actors who are concealing their sexuality.
“I can think of at least four actors absolutely hiding their sexuality,” the actress told the British newspaper.
“It’s painful. Because they fear being found out. And that’s what they say. ‘I don’t want to be found out.’”
The Titanic actress says that the discrimination is most felt by actors and actresses launching their careers.
“I cannot tell you the number of young actors I know — some well-known, some starting out — who are terrified their sexuality will be revealed and that it will stand in the way of their being cast in straight roles,” she said, saying it’s “f–ked up.”
Winslet says the discrimination applies to gay men more than others.
“It’s bad news. Hollywood has to drop that dated crap of, ‘Can he play straight because, apparently, he’s gay?’” saying the stigma applies to “men more than anything.”
“That should be almost illegal. You would not believe how widespread it is. And it can’t just be distilled to the question about gay actors playing gay parts. Because actors, in some cases, are choosing not to come out for personal reasons. And it’s nobody’s business. Perhaps privacy. Perhaps conditioning and shame.”
The Academy Award winner says more actors and actresses should take a stand in encouraging Hollywood to be more inclusive.
“I don’t intend to browbeat or take on Hollywood. We’re just talking about young actors who might be considering joining this profession, and finding a way to make it more open,” Winslet said. “For there to be less judgment, discrimination and homophobia.”
