Hello everyone,
I see that raising the question of gender identity within the casting process on a platform like Twitter was not a good idea. For that, I apologize, enormously. I recognize that it has only aroused and inflamed attitudes and has made us all stubborn. I take responsibility for that and again, I apologize for starting a
fire.
This is a topic that needs to be discussed face to face, person to person and over a good amount of time where we are all heard and understood.
It is also a subject that I understand is complex and sensitive.
I want to take this opportunity to say that it is very clear to me that in many areas of life, discrimination, which unfortunately should have no place in a modern society, still thrives. In fact, members of my own family have been subjected to different, but just as pernicious prejudices.
I understand why my question: “If trans actors are the only ones who can play trans roles, are we suggesting that trans actors can only play trans characters?” it’s insensitive.
The point I wanted to make was to defend the definition of acting and nothing more. Pitching the track to a particular minority group was unnecessary, especially from a man like me, with “Full House” privileges. I’m in no position to complain about fairness, at least not on my own behalf.
I posed the question because for 30 years, a lot of people have asked me since I did Priscilla “Don’t you think gay people should have played those parts?” and now there are many similar debates going on about trans actors and trans roles. It has led me to further reflect on acting as an art form and its place in the world.
Our industry is already a cesspool of politics, bums in seat funding, nepotism, and favoritism.
It’s clear that many minority communities are underrepresented on screen and so are the actors from those communities.
But I don’t think artists should advertise their personal identity, sexual preference, political stance, disability, religious beliefs, etc. to obtain a job.
I think suggesting that ‘acting’ can only come from our own lived experience kills our imagination. I wouldn’t want that restriction placed on a minority actor or any actor, including myself.
What I will say, though, is if I’m going to play miles outside of myself, it had better be good. And on that metric I’ve always been willing to be judged, as I hope the actor with lived experience will be.
None of this is simple. But I do believe that the artistic community should discuss and develop this within itself, yes, even if it means a bit of shouting. God forbid politicians or press barons tell us what is acceptable.
Thank you for reading. And again, my sincerest apologies for rudely targeting an already beleaguered minority in my original tweet.
kid pearce