Daniel Bocharsky/Getty Images
Darren Criss at an event in Chicago on Saturday
CNN
—
Glee's Darren Criss, who played the queer character Blaine on the show, was popular with LGBTQ+ viewers, but in real life, Criss identified as a straight cisgender man.
Chris attended the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo this past weekend, where he was asked about his Glee character having a same-sex relationship on the show.
“It was awesome…. Nowadays, we just call it a romantic relationship on TV. But when you put it into context, a same-sex relationship on a mainstream show on FOX is such a great thing to be a part of,” he said. Told.
He continued, “There was an awareness of the gay experience that wasn't an alien concept to me. I've been culturally queer my whole life. It's not because I'm trying — in fact, I'm I was going to say it's not because I'm trying to be cool, but I'll erase that because I'm trying to be cool, which I've tried to emulate and learn from and take inspiration from in my life. The thing is 100 percent queer.”
According to the Queerspawn Resource Project, a “culturally queer” person is defined as someone “who grew up immersed in queer culture, including its traditions, celebrations, media, and language.” Additionally, according to PFLAG's definition, “Some LGBTQ+ individuals use the term to describe allies who go above and beyond expectations in demonstrating both allyship and an understanding of queer culture.” I will use it.”
Chris added that his upbringing plays a big part in how he views the gay community.
“It was in the queer community that I found people I admired and wanted to learn from,” he said. “And this is a gross generalization, and it's a lot of things and a lot of people. But I grew up in San Francisco in the '90s. I saw people die. For me, homosexuality The human experience was not an alien concept, so it was a story that was very dear to me.”