Actor Billy Porter continues to prove himself as a trailblazer in Hollywood, schooling a number of A-grade actors in a roundtable discussion with The Hollywood Reporter.
Discussing straight men playing gay roles, Porter addressed fellow actors Richard Madden and Hugh Grant, each of whom has played LGBTIQ+ roles in the past.
"Being black and gay and out came with a lot of unemployment," he explained.
"It’s a double layer, the layer of being a person of color in this industry then the layer of being a queen. Nobody can see you as anything else."
Porter continued: "If 'flamboyant' wasn’t in the description of the character, no one would see me, ever, for anything, which wouldn’t be so enraging if it went the other direction, but it doesn’t.
"Because straight men playing gay, everybody wants to give them an award. Thank you for gracing us with your straight presence.”
Porter, who is a 30-year theatre veteran, added: "So here I sit, I can’t get the gay parts, I can’t get the straight parts. The theater was a bit kinder, but I’d go in and put myself on tape and, 'Y’all said be flamboyant,' then not a callback, not a nothin’. 'He’s too flamboyant.'"
Porter has risen to prominence in Hollywood recently for his role on TV series Pose, as well as for producing standout red carpet looks throughout award season.
