Hilary Swank says people shouldn’t be pigeonholed because of their gender or sexuality
The actress won an Academy Award for her role as murdered trans man Brandon Teena
By Steve Brown
Hilary Swank believes people shouldn’t be “pigeonholed” because of their gender.
The actress won an Academy Award and Golden Globe for her portrayal as the murdered trans man Brandon Teena in the 1999 movie Boys Don’t Cry and although, she says, the community were welcoming at the time, she says the struggle comes from not giving everyone an opportunity.
Speaking to The Guardian, she said: “What’s hard is that not everyone is given an opportunity, and that’s where I think the struggle is.
“Nobody knew who I was when I did Boys Don’t Cry. I was a newcomer – and the movie did well.
“The important thing to remember is people are wanting to be seen for who they are.
“And people are fighting for their space in the world. That I understand. But I do think it can be a slippery slope, because I don’t think anyone should be pigeonholed.
“And I do think that all genders should have an opportunity to be an actor and tell their stories.
“And I think that all genders should have the opportunity to audition for all types of roles.
“I was honoured to be a part of the beginning of an important conversation. The community means a great deal to me.
“We all have the underlying sameness of wanting to be loved; to give love, to receive love.
“We all experience pain. It might be from different circumstances, but the pain is the same.”