You know that moment when you're chatting with friends at dinner and someone is talking that wee bit too loud about a really uncomfortable topic and you want to subtly tell them to pipe the f*ck down?
Well, we're face with a similar situation when reading Andrew Garfield's latest comments on sexuality.
You'll all remember earlier this year when Ryan Gosling was announced to have won the Best Actor In A Musical Or Comedy award at the Golden Globes, and Ryan Reynolds pulled Garfield in for a kiss, which the British star later explained as a joke.
Well, the 33-year-old has now come under fire for his most recent remarks on his sexuality and gay stereotypes.
During a recent Q&A panel, Garfield opened up about preparing for the role of Prior Walter, a gay man who contracts AIDS in the early days of the infection, in a new production of the play Angels In America at the National Theatre in London.
The Gay Times reports the actor said he is 'a gay man right now, just without the physical act', and revealed he better understood his character by watching RuPaul's Drag Race.
'My only time off during rehearsals — every Sunday — I would have eight friends over and we would just watch [RuPaul's Drag Race].
'This is my life outside of this play. I am a gay man right now just without the physical act — that's all,' he added.
'As far as I know, I am not a gay man,' he said earlier in the discussion. 'Maybe I'll have an awakening later in my life, which I'm sure will be wonderful and I'll get to explore that part of the garden, but right now I'm secluded to my area, which is wonderful as well. I adore it.'
Unsurprisingly, his comments haven't gone down too well with, er, everyone, and numerous Twitter users are pointing out the absurdity and ignorance of suggesting that being gay can be defined or experienced by watching endless episodes of a show about drag queens.
Also, the actor's suggestion that he is a gay man 'right now' because of his preparation for the role seemingly overlooks the years of discrimination and oppression that the gay community have endured, which is inextricable with the gay experience.
Andrew, just take a moment right now and…
Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
