Darren Criss Identifies as 'Culturally Queer' Despite Being Straight

Darren Criss, the actor known for portraying LGBTQ+ characters in projects like Glee and The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, has identified himself as "culturally queer" due to his upbringing in San Francisco and close connection to the queer community, despite being a straight, cisgender male.

In a recent interview, Criss explained that he has "been so culturally queer" his whole life and that the things he has tried to emulate, learn from, and be inspired by are "100 percent queer as f---." The 36-year-old actor grew up in San Francisco in the 1990s, where he was immersed in queer culture and witnessed the impact of the AIDS crisis firsthand.

Criss rose to fame playing the openly gay character Blaine Anderson on the hit TV series Glee, which he described as a "fucking privilege" and an important representation for underdogs in general. He emphasized the significance of portraying a groundbreaking same-sex relationship on mainstream television and how much he cared about that narrative.

However, Criss has also stated that he will no longer accept LGBTQ+ roles, as he wants to ensure that queer characters are portrayed by actors from those communities. In 2018, he revealed his decision to step back from playing gay characters, stating, "I want to make sure I won't be another straight boy taking a gay man's role."

Why this matters: Criss' identification as "culturally queer" highlights the complex nature of identity and the influence of cultural experiences on one's sense of self. His decision to step away from LGBTQ+ roles also underscores the ongoing conversation about representation and authenticity in the entertainment industry.

While Criss' portrayal of queer characters has been praised by many in the LGBTQ+ community, his recent comments have sparked discussions about the appropriateness of his claim to cultural queerness as a straight, cisgender man. Some have questioned whether his experiences and connection to the queer community are sufficient to warrant such an identification, while others have defended his perspective, noting the diverse ways in which individuals can engage with and appreciate queer culture.

Key Takeaways

• Darren Criss identifies as "culturally queer" due to his upbringing in San Francisco and connection to LGBTQ+ community.
• Criss played openly gay character Blaine on "Glee," which he saw as important representation for underdogs.
• Criss will no longer accept LGBTQ+ roles, wanting queer characters to be portrayed by actors from those communities.
• Criss' identification as "culturally queer" sparks discussions about the appropriateness of his claim as a straight, cisgender man.
• Criss' decision and comments highlight ongoing conversations about representation and authenticity in the entertainment industry.