Homophobia doesn't sit well with me.
They made sure to cast the bad guy in the worst way homophobia could protray a man: a rapist, a paedophile, violent, irrational, diseased...
It fits all of the evil stereotypes of the ignorant.
Maybe I'm just being too sensitive here, but I'm surprised that some of these actors (DaFoe & the other big names they got) agreed to do this movie.
I wouldn't call it homophobic because, believe it or not, it does actually happen. There are plenty of murderers and rapists who happen to be gay just as plenty others happen to be straight. Would it be offensive to straight people if de Guise had raped and murdered a girl?
The use of the plague is hardly a homophobic metaphor either because in that time setting, the plague could have been caught by anyone. In fact, it was mentioned that Nicolas' own village was stricken with the plague epidemic and I'm assuming the plague was also spreading in the village that the actors stopped in as it was Thomas Wells who was stricken with the plague and de Guise had caught it without knowing it.
I wouldn't call it stereotypical either because the stereotype of being a gay man would be a very effeminate man who prances around caring only for clothes and makeup. Another stereotype for a lesbian is a masculine-seeming woman with short hair and a refusal to shave or wear any feminine clothing or accessories. This stereotype is also used for feminists, such as myself, and I can tell you first hand that that stereotype is completely untrue. This is just my knowledge, but I have never actually heard of the stereotype of gay men being rapists and murderers.
I think you are being too sensitive by jumping to conclusions about the story. If you want more assurance, I am actually bisexual and strongly support gay, lesbian and bi rights and I wasn't offended by this movie at all.
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I can't help being a gorgeous fiend. It's just the card I draw!-Lestat
You're not being sensitive, you're showing your own prejudice. It was never suggested de Guise was homosexual just that he was a paedophile rapist and murderer. His lust was for power not grown men. Dingbat.
The universe has no centre and no edges. Reality is arbitrary.share