Luke Evans Rejects 'Woke' Litmus Test for Gay People as ITV Drama 'The Party' Nears
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 4
Luke Evans Rejects 'Woke' Litmus Test for Gay People as ITV Drama 'The Party' Nears
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 4
Summary
Luke Evans said in a Friday Telegraph interview that being gay does not require holding “woke” or left-wing views, arguing sexuality is only one part of a person’s identity.
Discussing politics around his upcoming ITV drama “The Party,” Evans said gay people do not think alike and pushed back on the idea that sexuality should dictate broader social or cultural beliefs.
Evans tied that view to his career, saying he has spent much of it playing straight, “macho” roles and that an actor’s sexuality should not determine which characters they can portray.
He also rejected a standard that gay actors should play only gay characters, while still arguing Hollywood needs more opportunities for gay and transgender performers.
The remarks add to a wider debate over identity politics in entertainment, after Billy Porter this week said his career benefited from an era of “performative wokeness.”