Taye Diggs. Adam Pascal. Christian Hoff. Raúl Esparza. Mandy Patinkin.
What do these men all have in common? Yes. They are brilliant actors that capture the essence of theatre. Yes, they are all handsome men who have portrayed hundreds of different characters, both on and off Broadway. But most importantly, these are just a few of the brilliant performers in the theater world who have wives and children, and who are one hundred percent straight.
Growing up in theater, I have heard time and time again of boys not allowed to audition for shows because their fathers didn’t want them to be ‘sissies’, their friends would make fun of them, or simply because doing theater is only for gay guys.
Though many different occupations have held the ‘gay boys only’ stamina, such as nursing, Baking, and hair dressing, none have been more labeled than theater. Although I have to admit there is a pretty good amount of homosexual men in the theater business, I have met just as many people on the scene who are not gay.
Because theater is a business that requires you to be open with yourself and those around you, it requires a lot of vulnerability. That loving environment provides you a group of people with similar hobbies who will listen, accept, and understand you. A type of group therapy that you get paid to go to, instead of the other way around. Because of this, people who feel they are different tend to be attracted to theater, since they feel loved and accepted for who they are. But just because gay people tend to frequent the theater scene, does by no means, mean straight men shouldn’t be able to enjoy theater without a label.
I believe if you love something enough to want to do it for the rest of your life, people shouldn’t brand a stereotype on you, and expect you to fit it. No matter what you love doing, do it because it is something that makes you happy. Don’t let people’s false misconceptions stopping you from going for your dreams.
