Actor Neil Patrick Harris says it’s “sexy” for straight actors to play LGBT+ roles.
The former child star, best known for his role as Doogie Howser, M.D., is bucking the trend of shaming straight actors for playing LGBT+ roles.
He even said it can be “sexy” to cast a straight actor in same-sex relationships on the screen, according to the NY Post.
“I think there’s something sexy about casting a straight actor to play a gay role — if they’re willing to invest a lot into it,” Harris, 47, told The Times.
Harris later explained that straight actors should do more than ghey for pay — they should be willing to participate in steamy sex scenes with another man on-screen.
Heterosexual actor Darren Criss, who played the late fashion icon Gianni Versace, announced in 2018 that he will no longer take on roles that could be filled by LGBT+ actors.
Hollywood movie houses and TV producers say they will increase LGBT+ visibility 40% in roles in 2021.
The LGBT+ community is 6% of the U.S. population.
