Don’t Act, Don’t Tell!
Discrimination Based on Gender Nonconformity in the Entertainment Industry and the Clinical Setting
by Mark O’Connell, LCSW, MFA

To be published in the Journal of Gay and Lesbian Mental Health in March 2012.

ABSTRACT
The author describes anti-homosexual attitudes in the entertainment industry. Effeminate male actors generally have a hard time being cast, whether for gay or straight roles. Attitudes in the performing arts mirror those in society as a whole. Case reports are interspersed in the discussion to illustrate the points.

INTRODUCTION
There is a “don’t ask, don’t tell” practice in the hiring of actors for film, theater, and television—but it is certainly as ubiquitous in casting for the world’s stage as well. Here is how it works: actors can avoid discrimination so long as they do not disclose being homosexual. What is considered to be a disclosure in this case can be verbal, but is more often non-verbal, and merely a casting director’s perception or interpretation of the actor’s sexuality based on their gender presentation. This practice limits work for out and “seemingly gay” actors, and also severely limits audience perceptions of both homosexuality and gender. A simple example of this can be found in the film Brokeback Mountain, for which straight, masculine movie stars were hired to play gay men. By restricting the presence of gender-nonconforming people in film, television, and theater, the message, “you are permitted to be gay, just don’t flaunt your identity” (Yoshino, 2006), reverberates like an earthquake and without anyone having to claim responsibility or fix the problem. Until this phenomenon is brought to the surface – by naming and aggressively discussing it – homophobic discrimination will continue on and below the surface. Specifically we can expect to see more job discrimination, bullying, suicides, and hate crimes against gender-nonconforming people (both gay and straight)……

The Heyokah is a contrary clown who holds total wisdom and teaches the People through laughter and opposites.

BILL BOWERS

in a Gala Performance of his acclaimed, one-man show

to benefit Lynx Ensemble’s 2010 Season!

festivities will continue with a fabulous

cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception.

Monday, December 7th at 7PM
The Neighborhood Playhouse Theater, NYC

TICKETS: $30

FOR TICKETS/DONATIONS, click here.

We hope you’ll join us!  This gala evening will support Lynx Ensemble Theater’s thrilling 2010 Season, in which we’ll continue to present stereotype-shattering plays in all stages of development, and launch THE HEYOKAH PROJECT, a community-based theater initiative conceived and crafted by Bill Bowers.

MORE ABOUT BILL BOWERS

As an actor, mime and educator, Bill has performed throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. His extensive training and heartfelt personal style of acting and pantomime have led him on an incredible journey from regional stage to tours, television, film, and Broadway. Bill has appeared on Broadway in The Lion King and The Scarlet Pimpernel, and on the stages of Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, and the Kennedy Center. An accomplished actor, educator, and mime, Bill has studied with Marcel Marceau and has pioneered an irreverent mime style that’s all his own. Bill’s solo plays have garnered rave reviews across the nation. He is featured in the film Two Weeks Notice with Sandra Bullockand Hugh Grant. In 2007, Bill starred in Lynx Ensemble Theater’s workshop of stellYY by Justin Deabler at HERE Arts Center in NYC.  To visit Bill’s website, CLICK HERE.

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Lynx Ensemble Theater is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization that explores the nature of identity, exploding stereotyping and engendering empathy and understanding between diverse people.

Lynx Ensemble Theater is a member of A.R.T./New York and a recipient of grant awards from the Nancy Quinn Fund, the Katherine Dalglish Fund,
the Mary Duke Biddle Foundation, the Arch and Bruce Brown Foundation, and the Ernest O. Reaugh Foundation.

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OLGA HUMPHREY
NASTY BITS

In Which the Idealistic, Young Thomas Darsdale
Came to America to Start His Life In Politics

directed by Wendy McClellan

Monday, September 14th at 7PM

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ESTHER FRIEDMAN
RANDOM SHARP OBJECTS:

How I Got the Past Out of My Ass

directed by Christina Zorich

Monday, September 21st at 7PM

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SUZANNE BRADBEER
SHAKESPEARE IN VEGAS

directed by Giovanna Sardelli

Monday, October 5th at 7PM

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White Box Theater
440 Studios
3rd floor
440 Lafayette Street
New York, NY 10003-6919
across from the Public Theater

Readings will be followed by moderated discussions with
playwrights & cast.
Join us for a complimentary glass of wine and a delicious chat following each performance.

Admission to the Chain Lynx Text Reading Series by
SUGGESTED DONATION
$25 for the READING SERIES
$10 Individual Readings