GAY FILM ROLES ARE ‘HUGE STEP’ TO HELP CHILDREN
Author says big screen characters would have helped him when he was growing up
IN a week where Disney premiered an apparent “gay moment” in Beauty and the Beast, and Power Rangers announced plans to include its first openly gay superhero – one LGBT campaigner has said more needs to be done to provide gay role models on the big screen.
Growing up gay in a small South Wales town in the 1990s, a relatable and positive role model could have changed Scott McGlynn’s childhood completely.
The 29-year-old author, journalist and celebrity interviewer from Caerphilly was just 11 when he was called “gay” by classmates and, confused and upset, he went to his father’s dictionary to find out what exactly he was being accused of.
And now the Pride Power List 2016 nominee is calling production companies like Disney to help youngsters who might find themselves in similar positions by including positive gay role models in films.
“It’s a long time coming and I think it’s well needed – especially with big productions like Disney,” Scott said.
Disney’s live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast hit cinemas this week and director Bill Condon announced that the film features the first “exclusively gay moment in a Disney movie”.
Welsh actor Luke Evans and co-star Josh Gad play Gaston and La Fou and there’s a theory that La Fou is in love with Evans’ alterego and is gay, thanks to a camp rendition of the song Gaston in the film.
The moment prompted Russia to restrict children under 16 from seeing the film and one drive-in-theatre in Alabama not to screen it.
But Scott thinks it’s a huge step in the right direction.
“The fact that Ian McKellen and Luke Evans – two openly gay actors – play lead roles in the film is a huge step forward in the first place.
“I think including scenes and characters like this will make it easier for kids growing up, or will create a lot more openness at least. When I was growing up, I didn’t really know who I was. I couldn’t connect with anyone because there was no-one I could really relate to.
“Kids watch movies, kids watch cartoons – maybe if kids grow up with LGBT characters they’ll become more open and accepting people when they’re adults.
“Including a gay character in a film like Beauty and the Beast, which is a huge, big screen production, and casting gay actors – it’s making a big statement: that being gay is acceptable and accessible.
“I really hope Disney and other companies follow this and start to make more productions. Rather than the traditional model of prince falls in love with princess, how amazing would it be to see two princes or two princesses fall in love. Honestly, if I could draw, I’d put something together right now.
“A couple of years ago Disney gave us their first black princess in The Princess and the Frog and that was huge. Now it’s time to take the next step. It’s about showing children that it’s OK for a woman to love another woman or a man to love another man.”
Just days after Beauty and the Beast hit cinemas, Power Rangers announced plans to potentially feature its first openly gay superhero.
Yellow ranger Trini, played by actress and singer Becky G, is depicted as having “girlfriend problems” in the film, according to early reviews.
Director Dean Isrealite told The Hollywood Reporter that Trini is “questioning a lot about who she is”.
“I think it’s amazing that we’ve got the likes of Power Rangers including their first LGBT superhero too,” Scott said.
“I grew up watching that programme. It’s a huge step in the right direction.
“Hopefully other production companies will now follow suit.”