It seems that Hollywood's women can't win these days. If you're
associated with a lesbian - you are a lesbian, and if you're single
without any apparent love interest - can there be any more evidence
that you're gay?
Jessica Lange (Grey Gardens) and Ellen Page (pictured right at
the premeriere of Inception) appear to be suffering from these
generalised assumptions. It is rumoured that Lange's relationship
with openly gay co-star Sarah Paulson is more than just a
professional one. Claims that the two stars of American Horror
Story are dating have been dismissed and labelled as nonsense by
Lange's representatives. But what does this mean? Are single (and
straight) actors to expect more of these rumours and accusations -
are women simply lesbian by association nowadays?
Furthermore, rumoured-to-be-gay actress Ellen Page is under
tabloid attack for agreeing to star in forthcoming LGBT-rights
drama Freeheld. Is this the proof we've all been waiting for that
Page is really a lesbian? Or is the drama a good opportunity for
Page to maximise upon an already growing lesbian fan-base?
Lesbian rumours have continued to swirl around Page because the
actress was not linked to any male love-interest. Can't a woman be
single and empowered without a man in her life? Is lesbianism the
only explanation for Page's apparent single status? However, the
most recent rumours link her with True Blood's Viking vampire,
Alexander Skarsgard. This provoked death threats sent to Page's
Twitter by the True Blood star's overly-protective fans. Damned if
you're gay, damned if you aren't - or so it seems.
I can't help but compare Ellen Page's involvement with the gay
drama Freeheld to Jennifer Lopez's upcoming lesbian TV show, The
Fosters. Lopez's role as executive producer hasn't raised questions
as to her sexuality - so why is Ellen Page under constant scrutiny
for her involvement with a similar drama? Both are comparable
circumstances, the only difference being that Lopez's
heterosexuality seems to be set in stone and Page's isn't. Is the
pressure mounting to declare yourself as straight or otherwise?
Photo credit Ninha Morandini
