I don't find straight guys finding kissing guys difficult or squicky homophobic any more than the fact that I find seeing elderly people french kissing kinda ooky (even though I FULLY plan on getting action when I am that age) means I'm age-ist. It's outside their realm of experience and they have been trained by society to not like it. Most straight guys I know still have trouble crying, even though they rationally know it's normal and healthy. Knowing and feeling are two different things, and we all have to fight to feel comfortable with what is strange to us or what has been taught as bad. Not being comfortable with an action is not the same as not approving of those who DO enjoy it, if you see what I mean. Otherwise i would have to think that my gay guy friends who tell me the thought of going down on a woman makes them want to puke hate me, and I know that ain't true!

They quoted him. The Out interview was much more in terms of personal experience rather than generalized judgements, which isn't inflammatory to me (though still not endearing). He just talks about his dislike for the physical experience and the mutual boundaries he and the Beek set. I dug up my copy over the weekend and was actually thinking my previous distaste for the actor was unfair. Then yesterday I ran across a couple of other sources where his tone was along the lines of "that's wrong and disgusting! Blecch!" rather than "that doesn't appeal to me."

I suppose it's possible that he's just an idiot who has repeatedly failed to express the difference between personal tastes and a moral judgement. But since he tries so hard to portray himself as a sensitive intellectual and this seems to be the one area that his actual words just don't correspond to his supposed intent, I don't think it likely.

Here's the most pointed comment from the DVD review site Matt linked to above:

As a fan of Bret Easton Ellis' works, I was looking very forward to seeing the translation. The film itself I found flawless. I then decided to listen to one of the 'revolving door' commentaries. The one with Ian Somerhalder. I will now be avoiding this once attractive little twinks films from now on. While he has the 'most profound respect for women now...' 'there is something inherently wrong..' with 2 guys kissing. It gets worse from there, kiddies. What I once viewed as a 'cute' scene between little Ian and 'Sean Bateman'....will now, forever, leave a bad taste in my mouth. In time my revulsion will fade and I'll be able to view the film for what it is. I pretty flawless piece of film making. And a small piece of advice to Ian Somerhalder....watch your words little boy. Cute and maginally talented actors are a dime a dozen these days and voicing your opinion in such a pointed way on the commentary for a film with a built in gay audience could irreversably shorten your very questionable career. Don't forget to listen to his comments on how 'painful' the shooting was during the hotel sequences. I'm quite disturbed that Lion's Gate let this childish view, by one of the main characters no less, through their 'Gate'.

It was the "something inherently wrong" that pinged me, especially after reading that A&F interview. But, of course, it's possible that the person who wrote that review was taking the remark out of context. I don't really care enough to go rent the movie for myself, but Matt, if you do end up watching it, I'd be interested to hear your own report.

I also read the "Friday Five" interview on his website that tiggy linked to above ( [link] -- scroll down about 2/3 and look for the section headed "April 16, 2004"), where he denies charges of homophobia, and... I don't know. It seems a little insincere. I'm willing to cut him a little more slack now, but I can't quite shake my initial reaction--he still comes across as kind of a jerk.

Okay, "something inherently wrong" would defintiely make me dislike the guy. Unless it was in the context of "for me there is something inherently wrong in kissing another guy and I couldn't get into it" or something. As Matt said, there is a difference between personal limits and global statements about homosexuality.

Then yesterday I ran across a couple of other sources where his tone was along the lines of "that's wrong and disgusting! Blecch!" rather than "that doesn't appeal to me."

His defense seems to boil down to "some of my best friends are gay" and denying that anyone reasonable could be offended by any of his comments. Not filling me with confidence that he has any sensitivity to or understanding of what's at issue.

I'm witholding final judgement til I hear his own words rather than get them transcribed in print by a third party filter, but the snippets I've seen quoted and the universally negative reaction from people who have seen the commentary doesn't leave me much hope.

I mean, he does have a right to express a disapproving opinion, but people also have a right to base their reactions to him on it. And it strikes me as particularly unctuous to hear that kind of thing from an actor whose bread and butter up to this point has been playing gay roles.

Eh, even if it's all "personal taste" it still screams "Nope, I'm not gay. See, SOOOOOO not gay. Couldn't be more hetero if I tried, nosiree." Which is such a far cry from Ewan MacGregor talking about what a good snog Christian Bale was (or vice versa - I can't remember).

And here I am thinking I'm completely unimpressed by both the character and the actor. So, not changing my opinion in the least.

Eh, even if it's all "personal taste" it still screams "Nope, I'm not gay. See, SOOOOOO not gay. Couldn't be more hetero if I tried, nosiree."

Right, otherwise known as the Kerr Smith defense. "I'm not gay, I just play gay characters oh-so-reluctantly." It's like dude, no one cares if you actually are gay or not, as long as you're not homophobic.

ETA - Also, methinks he doth protest too much.

BTW, there is a teeny spoiler for Lost in the entry right above the April 16th one. Ima discuss it in Spoilage Lite.

There's a fun, non-spoilery article on Dom Monaghan in today's USA Today, mostly concentrating on his popularity and the fact that his flashback ep has drawn the highest ratings for the show so far.