I have long been a fan of Chad Allen. I'm as much, if not more, a fan of the person than I am the actor. After all, Chad is the kind of guy that makes the gay community proud, lending his time and talent to many worthy causes. I'm sure readers of this blog remember that he was an early supporter of Howard Dean's presidential bid. Chad is also a tireless fundraiser. This summer he'll be raising money for HIV/AIDS at the AIDS/LifeCycle. His online store raises money for the Kruks/Tilsner Transitional Living Program for Youth. Chad has also spoken out about Depression in the LGBT Community, teaming up with Greg Louganis, GLMA, and AGLP.

I was thrilled to see that Chad Allen had a lead role in the movie End of the Spear, the true story of a group of Christian missionaries in Ecuador. Chad has a dual-role in the film playing missionary Nate Saint, and then later playing his son Steve.

After all, having an openly gay actor in a lead role is a sign of progress right? Well not if they don't know he's openly gay.

With all the work Chad does in our community, I would expect most people who know him, also know he's out. Oddly enough, the Director of his latest movie apparently was clueless when he hired Chad. Director Jim Hanon further stated. If he had known Chad was Gay "he probably would not have been offered the role.". Gheez, I know discrimination is alive and well in Holywood, but don't people at least try and hide their bigotry? After all, employment discrimination based on sexual orientation is against the law in California.

I was encouraged to hear that the one person who did know Chad was gay and didn't take issue with it was Steve Saint, the son Chad portrays in the movie. Still, after all the recent gay Oscar-buzz, it's discouraging, to get this reminder that discrimination is alive and well in Holywood. (article link).