Ryan Murphy and Kristen Chenoweth were among the first to speak out against the article.

So why am I choosing to make this an issue of stereotypes? For one, I want to join Kristen Chenoweth, Michael Ausiello (Entertainment Weekly writer), Ryan Murphy (Glee creator) and others in fighting this dangerous idea. Mostly though, I want to make it an issue because unfortunately, Mr. Setoodeh isn’t the only person to have this perception. While others may not voice it, there is a fairly popular idea that a gay actor can’t play a straight, romantic role. It’s an all too common stereotype and its time we got rid of it.

The problem is simple. Because society has encouraged prejudice towards many gay men and women, there’s developed this idea that a gay person is defined solely by their sexuality. Do you introduce yourself to a stranger with the clarification that you’re straight? Odds are that’s a laughable no. Yet we have created a stereotype. You can be straight and well rounded or you can be gay. This stereotype has been especially perpetuated in the acting arena. Mr. Setoodeh has received a lot of criticism but he’s not alone in his attitude. Many argue that if someone is gay, they cannot be believably straight in a role.

There is even a double standard within that as lesbian women are considered more believable in straight roles. Why is this? Because a larger number of men find girl on girl a turn on? That seem so ridiculous yet again, it’s a stereotype often perpetuated. But when the shoe is reversed, ie a straight actor plays a gay role, the actor isn’t questioned. In fact they’re often praised for their bravery.

Heath Ledger & Jake Gyllenhaal in Brokeback Mountain.

Take the roles of Jake Gyllenhaal & Heath Ledger in Brokeback Mountain. Critics praised the actors’ ability to convincingly play a homosexual relationship and bring fans into the story. But I would argue that if you examine the premise of Brokeback Mountain a little closer, as a movie, it’s not very original. What we have is a romance movie, with cheaters, loveless marriages, and an unhealthy relationship. That’s the kind of story that tends to have critics bashing every chick flick released in February. But give a straight actor a gay role and it becomes a work of art and of courage. Again, we need to ask, why is it said that a gay actor can’t play a straight role yet a straight actor playing gay isn’t just believable but award worthy?

TR Knight on Grey’s Anatomy.

There are a few key points I want to address that stem from this stereotype. First let’s discuss the idea that an openly gay actor can’t play a straight role. I’m going to focus on two actors, T.R. Knight and Neil Patrick Harris. There are others but these two tend to be more well known and make for an easier reference point. T.R. Knight played George O’Malley on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy”. During his tenure on the show, T.R. played a young intern with a crush on Meredith, a husband to Callie, and a romancer of Izzie. Even the character of Lexie fell for George. And fans never found him unbelievable. In fact, George remains one of the most beloved characters on the show. His many relationships were all believable because T.R. Knight is a good actor.

Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson with Robin.

Or consider Neil Patrick Harris. Others who critiqued Setoodeh’s article brought up Neil to which other critics argued that because Neil’s character of Barney Stinson on CBS’s “How I Met Your Mother” is a larger than life character. That’s true and it would be foolish to deny it. But I’m not interested in Barney the womanizer. I’m interested in Barney, the guy who fell for Robin. Because the Barney/Robin relationship holds more interest for fans (and more heat) than any of Ted’s possible mother relationships. Neil brings a special talent, some call it acting, to the role and has created a character not only famously straight but also one that fans want to see happily in a relationship. There is nothing unbelievable about Neil Patrick Harris in a straight, romantic role.

Jonathan Groff, who was considered a heartthrob opposite Lea Michele in Spring Awakening yet is somehow not in Glee?

Secondly, since Mr. Setoodeh singled out Sean Hayes and Jonathan Groff, let’s do it again. I have a bit different theory though on why these two may not be convincing in a straight role. Let’s start with Jonathan who currently plays Jessie St James on Glee, the love interest of Rachel Berry. Personally, I and many other fans find the relationship completely believable. But for those who don’t, I ask you to question, is it that you think Jonathan isn’t convincing as a straight man or that you know he only has a 6 episode arc so there’s no point in committing to the character? The latter is where I can see a problem. It’s one that plagues many shows. They share that a guest star is booked for a certain number of episodes and viewers don’t allow themselves to be invested in the character. “Chuck” had the same problem (that of investing in a character) with Brandon Routh in the role of Agent Shaw. Jonathan is a heartthrob whether you are a gay man or straight girl. The problem is in fans knowing the character is temporary.

Sean Hayes did what many actors dream of and created an iconic role with Jack McFarland.

The other actor pointed out is Sean Hayes, most famous for his role as Jack McFarland on NBC’s “Will and Grace”. And that sentence right there is the problem. Some actors have a personality that creates a type of character. Take Courtney Cox Arquette, who since playing Monica on “Friends” has often played characters who have a tendency towards obsessive compulsive disorder and prefer to be in control. Other actors manage to create a truly iconic character that lifts away from a mere role to be the kind of part that other characters are later compared to. Jack McFarland is one of those characters. Sean Hayes managed to create one of television’s most recognizable roles. This is why he can be unbelievable in other roles. It’s not a matter of Sean’s sexuality. It’s a matter of living down a character so incredibly well known.

Remember, Ian Somerhalder can’t really suck your blood despite playing a vampire.

Finally, and this is the biggest misstep in logic, is the implication that an actor can’t play someone he’s not. Take another look at that sentence. An actor can’t pretend to be someone else. I certainly hope you see a problem with that picture. The idea is almost laughable considering an actor’s profession is to pretend to be someone else. If we follow the logic that says a gay actor can’t play a straight man then we have to continue with the same logic. Meaning Tom Cruise should have been a fighter pilot for “Top Gun”, Johnny Depp must really sail the high seas aboard the Black Sparrow, and Robert Pattinson really can drink your blood. The concept is ridiculous.

So now that we can see the problem in this stereotype and the faulty logic that creates it, how do we make a change? I believe the primary key is education. Take the reaction of Glee creator Ryan Murphy. While he condemned both the article and Newsweek for allowing it to be printed, Murphy offered Setoodeh a chance to visit the set of Glee and understand how they choose actors and why its about finding the best actor for the part regardless of personal life. Murphy is educating. This is how we can change a stereotype. We have to teach people that it is a stereotype first of all, then show them why it doesn’t hold up. At that point, we have an ability to change attitudes and perceptions. By educating, we can slash another stereotype.