I don’t personally know if you can be gay without “the act” of being gay, but considering Andrew Garfield has received some backlash for saying you can— and that he is— I think there’s a good argument that it’s not possible.
The actor, who is currently playing Prior Walter, the lead role in Angles in America and a gay man diagnosed with AIDS, announced that he is a “gay man right now just without the physical act”.
Furthermore, he stated, “My only time off during rehearsals – every Sunday I would have eight friends over and we would just watch Ru [RuPaul’s Drag Race]. This is my life outside of this play”.
His comments then caused a backlash within the LGBTQ community and prompted some members to speak out.
AKA Kalinda Shamra, for example, tweeted, “Andrew Garfield, pulling a James Franco while discussing acting in “Angels in America.” Straight actors, please stop this nonsense.”— @Nico_Lang
And openly gay actor Scott Evans, who said, “You’re a talented guy, but you seem to be completely oblivious to what is coming out of your mouth”.
During his interview with Gay Times, he reiterated, “as far as I know, I am not a gay man. Maybe I’ll have an awakening later in my life, which I’m sure will be wonderful and I’ll get to explore that part of the garden, but right now I’m secluded to my area, which is wonderful as well”.