Jared Leto's Gay Onscreen Roles Resulted in Questions about His Sexuality

After he played a transgender woman and a gay man, fans have been left with one question: is Jared Leto gay? While the actor has only been romantically linked to women, he has not set the record straight about his sexuality and revealed that he did not mind being called queer.

Aside from being the lead singer of the popular band Thirty Seconds to Mars, which has a large fanbase in the LGBTQ community, Leto has also voiced his opinions about gay actors having limited access to roles in Hollywood.

However, Leto has often created confusion regarding his sexuality— and triggered debates— after playing the role of queer people several times.

The News That Jared Would Play Gay Icon Andy Warhol Sparked Discussion

In 2020, Leto took to social media to confirm that he would portray the late artist Andy Warhol in an untitled film. "So grateful and excited about the opportunity," Leto shared. However, his being cast to play a gay man at a time when the singer had not officially and without jokes admitted that he was gay caused a stir.

"It's very frustrating that high profile gay roles almost never go to gay actors," gay actor and filmmaker Kit Williamson tweeted. He added, "We will never have queer movie stars if queer people are excluded from roles like this."

While there has been no further word about the upcoming film since 2020, and it has not been added to Leto's list of upcoming projects, Williamson also shared, "It's an undeniable fact that gay actors face discrimination."

Jared Leto Shared His Thoughts on the Potential for Gay Actors to Play Leading Roles

During an interview with GQ, Leto shared the same sentiment as Williamson, revealing that while he hoped gay actors would receive the same opportunities as straight actors, he knew that was not the case. Leto said:

"I definitely don't think a gay leading man would have the same opportunities as a straight leading man. I don't think that. Not for a single second."

Prior to the interview, Leto had played a gay character who was romantically involved with Colin Farrell's character in the 2004 film, "Alexander," co-starring Angelina Jolie. Later, Leto had to deny rumors that there had been a scrapped kissing scene between him and Farrell in the film.

In 2013, he shared the silver screen with Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Garner in "Dallas Buyers Club," where Leto played a transgender woman. A year later, during an appearance at a festival, Leto reportedly found himself in an altercation with a female attendee in the audience who accused him of trans misogyny for being a male and playing a transwoman.

Fans Are Debating Whether Jared Leto Is Gay

Following Leto's portrayal of characters in the LGBTQ community, a debate broke out on Twitter. One fan asked, "Is Jared Leto gay?" and another tweeted, "Is Jared Leto gay or what?" A third typed, "Is Jared Leto gay? He has such cool eyes."

However, other social media users were less uncertain about Leto's sexuality, with one tweeting, "I'll say it until I die: there is absolutely no way Jared Leto is not gay." Another user wrote, "Yes, Jared Leto is gay," and a third shared, "I feel like Jared Leto is just gay but masks it with these very mysterious Christian boy vibes."

Jared's Last Known Relationship Was With a Woman

Despite the speculation that Leto is gay, the "City of Angels" singer's past public dating track record has only been with women.

The "Suicide Squad" star had been in an on-again, off-again romance with model Valery Kaufman, which ended in September 2022.

Past romances include his relationship with Cameron Diaz and there were reports that they were living together. However, although Leto has only publicly been associated with women, he and his brother were asked if they would be "averse" to having the label of 'queer,' Leto said:

"I don't think we'd care at all. We certainly identify with people who are different."

Jared Leto not only accepts the label, but he also revealed the touching moment a gay fan thanked the musician for helping him come out to his family.