Bisexual in Hollywood: OK for Girls, Not Guys

June 5, 2008 — -- There are lots of things Hollywood actors do to differentiate themselves. They color their hair, they take up causes, they develop drug problems.

Could coming out as bisexual also be considered a career move?

Ever since the paparazzi captured them possibly kissing in Cannes, tabloids and blogs have been buzzing about whether or not Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson are more than just friends.

At the MTV Movie Awards this week, bisexual reality TV star Tila Tequila jumped into the fray, telling Us magazine that the two should be open about their relationship and, "just go all out with it! ... If you're going to do something, do it all out."

Lohan's reps have yet to address the rumors. But the speculation has taken attention away from Lohan's less-than-stellar movie streak, substance abuse issues and fame-hungry mother, suggesting that if she were to come out as bisexual, it wouldn't be a big deal and could even be a boon for her career.

Female stars, including Angelina Jolie and Drew Barrymore, have revealed past relationships with women and haven't seen their careers hurt in the least because of it. But among male actors, owning up to experimentation is all but verboten. Why the double standard?

"I'm not sure what that's based on anymore, other than the idea that leading men have to be virile and masculine in order for them to be viable for big roles," said Corey Scholibo, arts and entertainment editor of The Advocate. "For women, it seems that women and, of course, men will still accept them if they admit to experimentation in the past."

Indeed, many in the industry and the audience find it titillating when a starlet (the better-looking, the better) says she's fooled around with the same sex, even if it was just for the cameras. Denise Richards rocketed to fame after making out with Neve Campbell in "Wild Things." Scarlett Johansson's sex scene with Penelope Cruz in Woody Allen's "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" served as the major marketing point of that movie.

When an actress reveals a real-life romantic relationship with a woman, tongues wag even more, but usually not to the detriment of her career.

In 2003, Jolie, who dated actress/model Jenny Shimizu in the 90s, told "20/20," "If I fell in love with a woman tomorrow, would I, you know, feel that it's OK and it's right to want to kiss her and touch her if I fell in love with her in that way? Yeah."

That year, Jolie banked $12 million for her role in "Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life." Two years later, she made $20 million for starring in "Mr. & Mrs. Smith."