Jane Lynch Doubts Lead Roles for Gay Actors

Glee star Jane Lynch said that she was unsure when, if ever, gay actors would land romantic leading roles because of the profit imperative in the film industry.

Lynch expressed her doubts in an interview with AfterElton.com that was picked up by outlets including The Hollywood Reporter.

"I don't know when or if that will ever happen," said the lesbian actress, according to THR. "...This is a business of projection and desiring people from afar ... so there has got to be some truth to it, in terms of, 'I could see myself with that person.' Because the leading man and lady are the person we want them to fall in love with, and most of the audience is straight. So for right now, we can only use straight actors."

The statements from Lynch follow recent comments from out actors Richard Chamberlain and Rupert Everett, who both indicated that coming out would be fraught with dangers for leading men.

Lynch pinned the blame on the industry’s focus on money, according to THR.

"It's everybody looking at the bottom line ... I think they want their young Romeo/Juliet archetypes to be straight," she said.