Andrew Garfield On Straight Actors Taking LGBTQ Roles: 'I Understand The Complaint'

Andrew Garfield is opening up about the growing discussion that LGBTQ roles are too often given to straight actors.

“I understand the complaint,” the 35-year-old actor told Independent. “I think Tony Kushner put it best. He said, ‘It’s illegal for me to ask someone who they f**k in terms of hiring them for a job. That’s none of my business who someone sleeps with. The only question I have as the playwright is, are they right for this character?’ He said that if we only let people play who they are, then it’s the death of empathic imagination. I think that’s beautifully put, and I agree with it.”

Andrew added that he understands that him “taking such a role means potentially taking it away from an LGBTQ person. The community has suffered so much oppression. As a straight, white male, with so much privilege in this world, I believe my job right now is to pay attention, to listen and to be an ally.”

Pictured: Andrew keeping it cool and casual while attending the special Los Angeles screening and Q&A for The Social Network held at the Aero Theatre on Monday (April 15) in Santa Monica, Calif.

FYI: Andrew is wearing a The Elder Statesman sweater.