TORONTO, CANADA: Aidan Moreno, the ‘Heartland’ famed star feels gay characters should be played exclusively by the trans community. The statement created quite a few ripples among showbiz fans, with mixed reactions coming from all over. Moreno plays the first LGBTQ+ role on the hit Netflix show and thinks it is not ‘authentic’ for a show to have a straight individual play a gay character. However, he also added that it is understandable if a ‘big lead actor’ plays a similar role since it can ‘bring awareness’’ to the LGBTQ+ community.
“I would say I'm leaning towards a gay guy should play a gay guy. This is a weird one because I understand how some characters need a straight actor because it adds more of a platform and focuses on gay stories,” Moreno told the Daily Mail. “But now I think we are in a place where we should step aside and let gay and trans represent their own community through their own voice. Same with any minority it's all well and good having diversity but if it's a straight white man at the top making those decisions and writing the script it's still coming through from a straight white man's lens", he further added.
'Need to be as much involved as possible'
Moreno believes more involvement from the community is the need of the hour, “We have to try and make sure every level, for whatever group we are representing, is involved so whether that is a gay actor playing the gay role I think they need to be as much involved as possible. Otherwise, you're playing a stereotype and it won't be authentic which I think in this day and age it needs to be.”
'Sure he has no problem with gay actors playing straight roles'
Many fans shared their take on Moreno’s statement, "Ok but if a heterosexual part becomes available you can’t audition for it," wrote one. The second said, "But I’m sure he has no problem with gay actors playing straight roles." So Heath & Jake shouldn’t have been cast in #BrokebackMountain and a nonwhite man, Ang Lee should have not directed the film? So this white-looking actor hated the movies Brokeback Mount, Weekend, and Call Me By Your Name? I am a nonwhite bi that had no problem w/ these movies?," argued another. One netizen agreed with Moreno, "Movie casting must go to the best actor with the same sexual orientation as the character."
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