Creator Calls for Boycott

Glee creator Ryan Murphy has written an open letter calling for a boycott of Newsweek magazine until an apology is made to Sean Hayes and other gay actors for a recent article titled "Straight Jacket," which questions the ability of openly gay actors to convincingly portray straight characters. Ramin Setoodeh, the author of the Newsweek article, has come under fire from many celebrities including actors Cheyenne Jackson, Michael Urie, and most notably, Kristin Chenoweth, who wrote a passionate response in the comments section of the magazine website in defense of her Tony award-nominated costar Hayes.

Setoodeh also took aim at Glee's Jonathan Groff, an openly gay actor, in his editorial, writing that "he seems more like your average theater queen, a better romantic match for Kurt than Rachel." In Murphy's letter, posted in its entirety on Entertainment Weekly's website, he refers to Setoodeh's article as "misguided as it is shocking and hurtful." Murphy says he has "asked GLAAD president Jarrett Barrios to stand with me and others and ask for an immediate boycott of Newsweek magazine until an apology is issued to Sean Hayes and other brave out actors who were cruelly singled out in this damaging, needlessly cruel, and mind-blowingly bigoted piece."

Murphy has also invited Setoodeh to visit the set of Glee, a show that he says "encourages all viewers no matter what their sexual orientation to go after their hopes and dreams and not be pigeonholed by dated and harmful rhetoric."

On Monday, Setoodeh posted his response to critics of his article on Newsweek's website.