July 15, 2009 | Celeb Watch

Actors should stay in the closet, says gay director

Openly gay director Todd Holland has some advice for all you Hollywood wanna-bes. If you're gay, don't come out of the closet.

During a panel discussion on "Taking It to the Streets: LGBT Directors Get Political" at Outfest in Los Angeles, the Emmy winning director argued staying in the closet was a smart career move for young queer actors if they wanted to be successful.

Filmmaker Kirby Dick, a straight man. took Holland to task for his comment. "I know where you're coming from, but it's a regressive argument," Dick suggested. He argued it was time for a real celeb to take a stand and come out because if "an A-list actor came out, it would have more impact on the culture than an A-list politician."

Openly gay filmmaker Matthew Mishory, who watched from the audience, said Holland's views are quite common.

"This stuff doesn't just extend to actors," says Mishory. "We've been told, as gay filmmakers, not tell queer stories or else we'll get pigeonholed."

As another audience member pointed out:  "What kind of message is that for an older gay filmmaker to send to young gay filmmakers? It's the kind of thing that will keep people in the closet."

Queer Town: Emmy-winning Director Todd Holland to Young, Gay Actors: 'Stay in the Closet' [LA Weekly]