Lucas Hedges reveals he wanted to star in ‘Boy Erased’ because it challenges gender boundaries
The actor is starring in the new gay conversion therapy film based on Garrard Conley's acclaimed memoir
By Steve Brown
Lucas Hedges reveals he wanted to star in Boy Erased because it challenges gender and sexuality boundaries
The 21-year-old actor, who pays a teenager undergoing gay ‘cure’ therapy the upcoming film adaptation of Garrard Conley’s acclaimed memoir, and admitted he took on the role as it’s about “challenging the world around us” and the “boundaries they put on us”.
Speaking to GQ, Hedges said: “The reason I wanted to do Boy Erased is because it’s about challenging the world around us and challenging the boundaries that they put on us.
“Whether that’s something as small as putting nail polish on your fingernails or the bigger freedom to express yourself sexually.
“It was a movie that taught me a lot about conviction and standing up for myself.”
The actor, who was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in 2016’s Manchester by the Sea, recently told Vulture that he is not “totally straight” and said he felt “ashamed” he wasn’t 100 per cent.
He said: “I felt ashamed that I wasn’t 100 percent, because it was clear that one side of sexuality presents issues, and the other doesn’t as much,” he said.
“I recognize myself as existing on that spectrum: Not totally straight, but also not gay and not necessarily bisexual.”
Boy Erased is set for release in the US on 2 November. Watch the trailer below: