Q. There is definitely a sense of intrigue regarding Franco’s persona
A. Yeah, and that seems like that’s his public persona, that’s his relationship with the public. There’s no clarity, really, as an actor, as a writer, as a director, as an artist; I think he’s just trying to do as much as he can and put as much out there as he can, and I respect that. He’s a really hard working, ambitious guy and I thought that his energy behind this movie was interesting and part of what compelled me to do it.
Q. With the exception of yourself, there are not any big-name out gay actors getting lead roles in action movies. Not Matt Bomer, not Andrew Rannells, not Neil Patrick Harris. Why do you think there aren’t any major LGBT actors besides you getting top billing in major Hollywood action films? I mean, why can’t we have a gay James Bond? I mean, we can, right? I’d like to think so.
A. Sure. I definitely think that we can. Matt Bomer is one of my favorite friends. I’ve known him for 15 years – longer. I know Andrew. These are friends of mine. The fact that so many of my friends who are openly gay have flourishing, thriving careers is really exciting. That in and of itself is progress if you consider that 15 years ago, when I started acting professionally out of college, you couldn’t even count on both of your hands the number of openly gay actors in any form, television or film. It was a totally different issue 15 years ago, and that’s not a very long amount of time to have made such progress.
So, I do not disagree with you; I do feel like I occupy—not in any self-aggrandizing way—a space where I have looked to my peers and looked around me and said, “Well, who else can I look to?” And there isn’t anybody else. That to me is significant and personally gratifying as I consider my own journey to self-acceptance, but again, I just think, “Don’t let it slow me down.” And I don’t. I don’t create an issue where there isn’t one, and I think the more that we’re all able to do that, then the more diversity will present itself.
Q. What do you think of the LGBT community’s evolution since your coming out in 2011?
A. Look at the transgender movement: of course Laverne (Cox), and before Laverne, Candis Cayne, who was amazing on Dirty Sexy Money. And now with the emergence of Caitlyn Jenner, everything is changing. We’re rapidly evolving as a society, and I think there’s a lot of celebration in that. I think there’s a lot to be grateful for. The more that people from diverse backgrounds can stand up with integrity and integrate who they are in an authentic way to their creative process then everybody benefits and we all move forward together as a result. So I see myself as one of many, many people who have had their own journey that has defined them and contributed to the larger goals of advancement and equality, and that’s something that I’m proud of.
But we can’t stop, and so I do invite any gay actor to be who they are and to stand up and fight for their capacity to play different roles and to do different things. The more people can do that and stand by it, the more we’ll see it continue as we already have.
Q. In 2010, before you came out, you told The New York Times, “Let’s talk about something that matters.” Do you think celebrities do enough to speak out about and act on issues that can make positive change?
A. Yeah—think about Leonardo DiCaprio’s commitment to the environment. Think about Amy Poehler’s commitment to the Worldwide Orphans Foundation. Think about Angelina Jolie’s work that she did in Cambodia to completely transform the landscape of that country. I do think there are socially responsible and conscientious members of the Hollywood community who stand up and fight for things they believe in. I think it’s important if you’re in a position to have a public platform that you at least, in some way, utilize it for the betterment of other people and the benefit of those who are less fortunate.
*Chris Azzopardi is the editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBT wire service. Reach him via his website at www.chris-azzopardi.com and on Twitter (@chrisazzopardi).
http://www.therainbowtimesmass.com/2015/09/02/the-name-is-quinto-zachary-quinto/