Jared Leto says Hollywood is not ready for a gay leading man
As much progress as LGBT people have made, "Suicide Squad" star Jared Leto thinks the film industry is still too conservative for an openly gay star to thrive.
"I definitely don't think a gay leading man would have the same opportunities as a straight leading man," Leto said in an interview with GQ. "I don't know if that's offensive or not, but that's my thought right now. It shouldn't be that way."
"This is still a very conservative business," he added.
Leto did want to make it clear, though, that he wasn't necessarily talking about masculinity -- just sexuality. As he's experienced, audiences are open to a lot of variation when it comes to how an actor expresses himself.
"We're in an interesting time right now where people are exploring all kinds of different ideas of identity, not just masculinity or femininity," he said. "For myself, I have never had a specific idea of masculinity. I think it's OK just to be yourself and whatever that entails. You know, I've certainly never felt required to present myself in a certain way."