Disney Casts Straight Actor in First Major Openly Gay Role

Disney has recently announced casting of The Jungle Cruise, a new feature film based on the Disneyland ride. In addition to Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Emily Blunt, the movie also featuresBritish actor and comedian, Jack Whitehall as the brother of Blunt's character.

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New information about Whitehall's character reveals that he's in fact gay, the first major openly gay character in a Disney movie. A source told The Sun that his character is described as "hugely effete, very camp, and very funny." But seeing as Whitehall is a straight actor, this has raised an eyebrow or two for obvious reasons.

When will Disney learn? First, they give us a breadcrumb of a gay moment between the villainous LeFou and Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, as if it doesn't perpetuate the idea that queer people are secondary, if not plain evil. Then they went as far to cut a scene in Thor: Ragnarok that confirmed Valkyrie's bisexuality.

Now they're offering up a straight man's portrayal of gay character, being described as "effete" and "camp" as if it's some big win for gay inclusion. A bigger win might be casting an actual gay actor, or at least avoiding awful gay tropes. When will they learn?

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