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I can't put my finger on one reason why I find two men together so compelling considering it doesn't include a representative of my sex. But, for me, erotic is erotic is erotic. In the context of both Brokeback Mountain and My Beautiful Laundrette, as well as the larger contemporary social context, this is still a forbidden love. When something is forbidden, you always want it more.

Which leads to my intense attraction to people who are fighting the good fight. And being an out star in this political climate qualifies. If George Clooney had sought me out for a date a few years ago, I wouldn't have said no, but I find him so much more appealing since he's been so public about his politics. I simultaneously wept and almost needed to be alone after watching his acceptance speech at the Oscars.

But one of the bravest things I've seen at the Academy Awards was in 2001 when Ian McKellen--one of the few out major actors--appeared with his incredibly young and handsome date. Of course, the cameras were all over them and, of course, the next morning I had to listen to moronic deejays carrying on about how McKellen and his boyfriend were “practically in each other's laps” the whole time. Kiss my white heinie. They were holding hands. That's it.

It's hard to say if those offended were more upset because it was two men or because of the age difference. But, gosh, we all know Hollywood has such a long tradition of frowning upon May-December relationships. Clearly, McKellen's career hasn't suffered since then, but he's older and stars in mostly larger-than-life fantasy fare.

Even if the press didn't make a big deal about a major actor coming out (which is pretty much impossible), there is always public peer pressure and the perceived reaction. Even if most movie fans might not care, the big studios could easily decide that people would, and marginalize the actor. Hollywood has been known for taking “big risks” (not as big as Broadway, mind you, however that's another story), but unless the person in question was A-list, would they take a risk on one of their big stars being gay?

In the past, many gay actors have skated by on the “don't ask, don't tell” policy in the Hollywood establishment. If you don't rub it in people's faces (read: never show affection for a member of the same sex), you won't be penalized for it. If you just quietly go about your business, and escort a lovely starlet or two to highly publicized functions, then all will be well.

The Hollywood story is just that: a story. A big, fabricated fairytale designed to sell the most tickets. The studios will create whatever back-story they need to keep the public coming back for more, to keep fans swooning over their favorite stars.

Errol Flynn, in reality a slave owner from Tanzania, became a scrappy Irishman. Tab Hunter became the love of Natalie Wood's life--in the press anyway. The recently out Hunter, who has recently been all over the press with tales of his manufactured studio love life, years ago managed to weather an outing by Confidential magazine. Indeed, his career suffered more damage because he was indicted for beating his dog.

Ultimately, the question of how an actor's true sexuality would affect a moviegoer's experience varies from person to person, situation to situation, and actor to actor.

The last thing I would want would be for an actor to stay in the closet to feed my ridiculous romantic fantasies. I might not sigh the same way when the actor kissed the heroine, but I would sigh over an incredibly bold man choosing to be completely honest about who he is. Now that's HOT.

Get more info about the author at www.marcyrodenborn.com or
www.condimentgrrl.blogspot.

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