Actor Andrew Garfield made a very 21st century celebrity mistake: a forehead slapping gaffe that fits into 140 characters.
During a Q&A session about his role as Prior Walter, a gay man dying from AIDS in Tony's Kushner's play "Angels in America," Garfield offered an eyebrow-raising comment about his preparation for the role.
"As far as I know, I am not a gay man. As far as I know. I may get an awakening later in my life, which would 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."
The clarification drew laughs from a crowd eager to hear more about Garfield's work in the London production of the play, which has won Tony Awards and a Pulitzer.
"Every Sunday I have eight friends over and we would watch Ru," he said, referring to drag queen RuPpaul, and provoking more scattered laughs.
But the crowd quieted down after Garfield's next thought, which is now the center of online controversy and outrage.
"This is my life outside of this play. I am a gay man right now, pretty much, just without the physical act - that's all," Garfield said.
It was an inelegant explanation of how the actor was at first uneasy about taking on the role of a legendarily tragic figure in gay culture, and later diving head-first into LGBTQ literature and pop culture to gear up for the play.
"What right do I have to play this wonderful, seminal gay part?" he asked rhetorically.
Some on the Internet didn't take kindly to Garfield's remarks, while others lamented the story becoming a story at all. Some took to Twitter to defuse the controversy and come to Garfield's defense.
Other LGBT voices were not less sympathetic.
"I just feel like myself now, and it's all thanks to my hero, Andrew Garfield. Before him, I had no idea I could exempt myself from all of the negatives of being a part of the LGBTQ community," Christian Tucci wrote in a sarcasm-infused column for The Huffington Post.
"I look forward to no longer feeling fear, shame, and prejudice. Hooray! And to Andrew, I'm sure you'll fare better with it than I did. (I will say, however, you are missing out on the best part!)," Tucci added.
The Daily Beast's Kevin Fallon sought to counter the outrage machine.
" 'Celebrity Misspeaks and the Internet Piles On' is the kind of mob-and-pitchforks genre of writing that has only grown more powerful and more exhausting as the Twitter-and-hot takes culture continues its ceaseless march to domination," he wrote.
Garfield's performance has earned some strong reviews, with Variety calling Garfield "outstanding" in a play where the political and social themes of the 1980s have shifted considerably.
The actor had previously spoken about the role as one that he could not pass on.
"There was no choice but to say yes because you don't often get to work on a character like this, or on a story that has so much humanity in it," he told the Evening Standard.
"It is a play that is about everything, it has everything in it, all the beauty and the pain of living. To get to experience that and to live that out and offer it to an audience is a privilege."
During the recent Q&A, Garfield said he hoped to "honor" his gay friends, including those who died during the AIDS epidemic that ravaged the gay community in the 1980s.
Nearly 17,000 people died from the disease in the United States from 1981-1987.
The Washington Post
Fri Jul 07 2017
![Andrew Garfield stirs controversy by saying he is gay 'without the physical act' Andrew Garfield stirs controversy by saying he is gay 'without the physical act'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2017-07/61499432082_ActorAndrewGarfiel.jpg)
Andrew Garfield at the 89th Academy Awards, Hollywood, California, US - 26/02/17 - REUTERS/Mike Blake
![KPT aku-akukan syor PAC guna garis panduan pelaburan universiti awam untuk anak syarikat KPT aku-akukan syor PAC guna garis panduan pelaburan universiti awam untuk anak syarikat](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81719822088_ZambryAbdKadir.jpg)
KPT aku-akukan syor PAC guna garis panduan pelaburan universiti awam untuk anak syarikat
KPT mengalu-alukan cadangan PAC berhubung pelaksanaan dan pemakaian Garis Panduan Pelaburan dan Pembiayaan oleh Universiti Awam 2024, kepada anak-anak syarikat di bawah seliaan kementerian itu.
![SUKMA 2024: Sepak takraw wanita mungkin digugurkan SUKMA 2024: Sepak takraw wanita mungkin digugurkan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61720679430_AbdulKarimRahman.jpg)
SUKMA 2024: Sepak takraw wanita mungkin digugurkan
Sepak takraw wanita berpasukan berkemungkinan akan digugurkan daripada senarai acara temasya Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) 2024 berikutan jumlah penyertaan kurang daripada jumlah minimum yang ditetapkan.
10 Berita Pilihan - (16 Julai 2024)
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
![Enam rakyat Vietnam ditemukan maut di sebuah hotel di Bangkok Enam rakyat Vietnam ditemukan maut di sebuah hotel di Bangkok](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-12/41702437730_maut.jpg)
Enam rakyat Vietnam ditemukan maut di sebuah hotel di Bangkok
Enam orang ditemukan maut di sebuah hotel di Bangkok, Thailand pada Selasa laporan media tempatan yang memetik polis Bangkok.
AWANI 7:45 [16/07/2024] - Suspek dibawa ke lokasi | Selamat tinggal rakyat Malaysia | Harimau Malaya hilang taring?
- Polis sahkan suspek bunuh Kartini anggota polis.
- Pan-Gon enggan dedah punca letak jawatan.
- Faisal Halim sedih mentor Pan-Gon undur diri.
- Pakai reben putih di Parlimen, tak salah.
- Pan-Gon enggan dedah punca letak jawatan.
- Faisal Halim sedih mentor Pan-Gon undur diri.
- Pakai reben putih di Parlimen, tak salah.
![Isteri calon gandingan Trump letak jawatan di firma guaman Isteri calon gandingan Trump letak jawatan di firma guaman](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41721139141_TBJDUSHA.jpg)
Isteri calon gandingan Trump letak jawatan di firma guaman
Usha Vance, isteri kepada Senator J.D. Vance yang dipilih sebagai calon gandingan bekas presiden Amerika Syarikat (AS) Donald Trump awal minggu ini, telah meletakkan jawatannya di sebuah firma guaman,
![Najib fail permohonan di mahkamah rayuan cabar Titah Adendum Najib fail permohonan di mahkamah rayuan cabar Titah Adendum](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-05/71683779541_TBNAJIBRAZAK.jpg)
Najib fail permohonan di mahkamah rayuan cabar Titah Adendum
Berdasarkan sistem e-filing mahkamah, rayuan itu telah ditetapkan untuk pengurusan kes pada 7 Oktober ini.
![Pangsapuri mewah bernilai RM1 juta menanti pemenang emas Olimpik Pangsapuri mewah bernilai RM1 juta menanti pemenang emas Olimpik](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721138010_HannahYeoh.jpg)
Pangsapuri mewah bernilai RM1 juta menanti pemenang emas Olimpik
Hannah Yeoh berkata Jawatankuasa RTG telah menerima tawaran daripada pemaju hartanah, Top Residency, yang berminat untuk menghadiahkan pemenang pingat emas pertama.
![E-sukan harus dijadikan kepentingan sehingga ke peringkat lebih tinggi E-sukan harus dijadikan kepentingan sehingga ke peringkat lebih tinggi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721128633_MohdHidayatMohdSa.jpg)
E-sukan harus dijadikan kepentingan sehingga ke peringkat lebih tinggi
Kerajaan juga harus wujudkan sebuah dasar yang jelas supaya kepentingan e-sukan ini mampu diperkembangkan ke masa hadapan.
![Kerajaan pandang serius penularan ideologi liberalism, pluralism Kerajaan pandang serius penularan ideologi liberalism, pluralism](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721122322_ZulkifliHasan.jpg)
Kerajaan pandang serius penularan ideologi liberalism, pluralism
Kerajaan sentiasa memandang serius terhadap penularan ideologi dan aliran pemikiran yang bercanggah dengan ajaran Islam seperti ideologi liberalism dan pluralism agama.
![124 kes HIV baharu di Johor - Exco 124 kes HIV baharu di Johor - Exco](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-12/81638409011_HIV.jpg)
124 kes HIV baharu di Johor - Exco
Sebanyak 313 kes HIV dilaporkan di Johor sejak Januari hingga hari ini, kata Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Kesihatan dan Perpaduan Negeri, Ling Tian Soon.
![Johor catat 494 kes HIV, 244 kes AIDS sehingga minggu epid 24/2022 Johor catat 494 kes HIV, 244 kes AIDS sehingga minggu epid 24/2022](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-01/61643593201_VACCINE.jpg)
Johor catat 494 kes HIV, 244 kes AIDS sehingga minggu epid 24/2022
Johor Bahru melaporkan kes HIV baharu tertinggi iaitu 122 kes.
![Jangkitan baharu HIV menurun 70 peratus dalam tempoh 20 tahun - KKM Jangkitan baharu HIV menurun 70 peratus dalam tempoh 20 tahun - KKM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-12/71638354906_pesakitHIV.jpg)
Jangkitan baharu HIV menurun 70 peratus dalam tempoh 20 tahun - KKM
Rawatan ubat antiretroviral kepada orang yang hidup dengan HIV telah dipertingkatkan kepada 66 peratus pada tahun lepas.
![Hapuskan ketidaksamaan untuk lenyapkan AIDS -Dr Adeeba Hapuskan ketidaksamaan untuk lenyapkan AIDS -Dr Adeeba](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-11/61669810397_TBAIDS.jpg)
Hapuskan ketidaksamaan untuk lenyapkan AIDS -Dr Adeeba
Stigma dan diskriminasi menjadi penghalang yang tidak diperlukan kepada perkhidmatan rawatan, pencegahan dan penjagaan HIV.
![Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-03/61648036783_TBBERITAx.jpg)
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah antara yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
![Sebanyak 90 peratus penghidap HIV/AIDS adalah lelaki Sebanyak 90 peratus penghidap HIV/AIDS adalah lelaki](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-05/61653227693_TBanitasuleiman.jpg)
Sebanyak 90 peratus penghidap HIV/AIDS adalah lelaki
Sebanyak 90 peratus penghidap HIV/AIDS di negara ini adalah terdiri daripada golongan lelaki, kata Ketua Sektor HIV/AIDS dan Hepatitis C Kementerian Kesihatan Dr Anita Suleiman.
![MAF, Perkeso jalin kerjasama bantu pencarum HIV/AIDS MAF, Perkeso jalin kerjasama bantu pencarum HIV/AIDS](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-12/41638793088_MAFPERKESO.jpg)
MAF, Perkeso jalin kerjasama bantu pencarum HIV/AIDS
Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial (Perkeson) dan Yayasan Aids Malaysia (MAF) jalin kerjasama bagi memperkasakan ODHA dalam kalangan pencarum.
![Pesakit AIDS juga manusia, dekati mereka. Agenda AWANI 9 malam ini Pesakit AIDS juga manusia, dekati mereka. Agenda AWANI 9 malam ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-12/51638354973_AGENDA.jpg)
Pesakit AIDS juga manusia, dekati mereka. Agenda AWANI 9 malam ini
Akhiri ketidaksamaan layanan terhadap pesakit AIDS untuk kita bersama menangani penyakit tersebut.
![Usaha tangani HIV/AIDS berdepan tekanan tatkala COVID-19 berlanjutan - Prof Adeeba Usaha tangani HIV/AIDS berdepan tekanan tatkala COVID-19 berlanjutan - Prof Adeeba](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-06/71622812886_TBHIVjpg.jpg)
Usaha tangani HIV/AIDS berdepan tekanan tatkala COVID-19 berlanjutan - Prof Adeeba
Antara cabaran lain termasuk kekuatan fizikal dan mental mereka yang menggerakkan inisiatif tersebut.
![Agong bangga atas pelantikan Dr Adeeba sebagai anggota Majlis Sains WHO Agong bangga atas pelantikan Dr Adeeba sebagai anggota Majlis Sains WHO](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-04/61586512706_DatukDrAdeebaKam.jpg)
Agong bangga atas pelantikan Dr Adeeba sebagai anggota Majlis Sains WHO
Pakar penyakit berjangkit negara Prof Datuk Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman atas pelantikan menjadi anggota Majlis Sains Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO).