“Christy,” a biopic regarding lesbian boxer Christy Martin, came out in theaters Nov. 7. Starring Sydney Sweeney as Martin, the theatrical release has reawakened a recent Hollywood question: “Should straight actors play queer roles?” In a world that has become increasingly interested in narratives about marginalized groups, it is crucial to tell these stories with proper care to their identities.
With any role that someone chooses to play, actors should first put in research. Studying the environment and beliefs they are representing allows for a well-rounded understanding of a character, and a better understanding of how their identity may experience the story they are in. Doing proper research can then improve an actor’s performance and help it feel more real and genuine. This especially is true for marginalized narratives, including queer ones.
The biggest concern surrounding straight actors playing queer roles (and similar scenarios), is that they are taking away from the voices of queer actors that could have filled the same place. While this is a valid concern, it doesn’t equate to prohibiting straight actors from playing queer characters entirely. Instead, actors and their production teams should openly discuss the messages they are choosing to send with members of the communities they are depicting. They also should view their work as a space that is safe for those in the communities they are representing. By doing this, it can create a welcoming and accepting environment for marginalized groups to discuss how their stories are portrayed.
The most important aspect of telling a story that carries social weight, like one that includes minority characters, is to be respectful. In order to create a meaningful and sincere plot, actors and production teams should take the time to respect the identities that they are representing. Ensuring that portrayals of minority groups are fair and respectful helps garner awareness and diffuses the further spread of harmful stereotypes and prejudice.
If an actor is deemed fit for a specific role, they shouldn’t be removed because they aren’t a part of the minority that their character is. An actor’s job is to portray a person, and that person doesn’t necessarily have to be like the actor, but it’s also an actor’s responsibility to create characters that respectfully and fairly represent the groups that they may be a part of. This care is possible through doing research and having a proper understanding of the narrative being depicted.
