Gay Actors Poll: Homosexual Stars Feel Coming Out Causes Discrimination

When Zachary Quinto came out to New York magazine he was shocked to find that his sexual preference had become "global news."

While the actor reiterated that he was "really glad that that's the way it all unfolded" it turns out that other homosexual actors do not share Quinto's sentiment.

A recent survey reveals that gay actors still believe that coming out influences the type of roles they are offered. According to The Guardian, only 57% of the gay actors who took the survey felt they could even disclose their sexuality to their agents.

An actor quoted in the trade magazine corroborated these statistics: "A previous agent of mine once told me to keep quiet about my sexuality and though I am out, I do not broadcast it."

Many gay actors explained that fear of being offered stereotypical roles was a major factor in their decision to remain professionally closeted.

One foil to Quinto's optimism, actor Rupert Everett told the Observer in 2011 that coming out was a mistake. "For an actor to be working (at all) is a kind of miracle, because most actors aren't. So it's just silly for a working actor to say, 'Oh, I don't care if anybody knows I'm gay' – especially if you're a leading man."

[via The Guardian]