The LGBTQ+ community recently applauded actress Bella Thorne for coming out as bisexual. Unfortunately, though, not everyone is clapping. Even in an era of tremendous progress for queer people, bigotry still exists. This time, it's apparently coming from the Hollywood studio heads who don't want to work with Thorne because she is too "out there."
In a new interview with Maxim, Thorne opened up about the subtle homophobia she's experienced from Hollywood suits who view her "image" (read: sexuality) as a liability.
"It is hard in this business for us. It really is," Thorne told Maxim. "And it comes from people in the industry, not even fans. I’ve had studios tell me my image is too 'out there,' hinting at it but not really saying it."
Well, that's garbage. Many actresses have eccentric personalities—please Google "Jennifer Lawrence pizza GIF" for reference—but, to my knowledge, they aren't cast aside because of it. If studio executives are worried that her sexuality will hinder her box office potential, that's bullshit—but, sadly, also a reality of the business. LGBTQ+ actors are routinely relegated to niche audiences because out-of-touch studio heads think Middle America can't handle them.
That thinking is false, of course. Orange Is the New Black, one of the most popular TV shows, stars transgender actress and goddess Laverne Cox. Sarah Paulson, who is dating Holland Taylor, just won an Emmy for her universally-lauded turn as Marcia Clark in The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. Ellen DeGeneres is one of America's favorite talk show hosts! America, generally speaking, doesn't seem to have an issue with seeing queer people in entertainment. When will Hollywood executives hop on the same train?
They better do it fast. It's crucial that people see sexual diversity in film and television. For many, that is the entry point to radical self-acceptance. (It certainly was for me.) Give Bella Thorne her shine, guys. We all need the light.
Source: http://www.glamour.com/story/bella-thorne-backlash-from-hollywood-after-coming-out-as-bisexual
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