“If I fell in love with a woman tomorrow, would I feel that it’s okay to want to kiss and touch her? If I fell in love with her? Absolutely! Yes!”
Angelina Jolie, Interview with Barbara Walters (July 2023)
Introduction
In this Gaydar Feature of the Month, we’re featuring Angelina Jolie, an Oscars award-winning actress and filmmaker. Behind the iconic roles as the heroine in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, the powerful fairy Maleficent, and an action star in Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Wanted, and Salt, Jolie is an ally in the LGBTQIA+ community that advocates for anti-discrimination and equality using her influence of being one of the most popular Hollywood actress.
A real-life superhero, Jolie is also a philanthropist that served as a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) goodwill ambassador since 2001 and was promoted to the rank of special envoy in 2012. This is not a walk-in-a-park feat, as she was involved in more than 40 field missions in over 30 countries such as Sierra Leone, Iraq, Thailand, and many more. She had to find solutions for displaced refugees, abandoned children, and the list goes on.
Let’s delve into the various facets of Angelina Jolie, exploring her sexuality and advocacy in the LGBTQIA+ community that has made an impact to the world for a better future.
Open Bisexuality
Although Jolie has been married three times in her life with her former husbands, Jonny Lee Miller, Billy Bob Thornton, and Brad Pitt, Jolie has been refreshingly open about her sexual identity as bisexual. Back in 1996, Jolie had a relationship with the lesbian model and actress Jenny Shimizu on the set of “Foxfire.” Jolie said, “I would probably have married Jenny if I hadn’t married my husband.”
During an interview with Barbara Walters in July 2003, Jolie was asked if she’s bisexual and she responded: “Of course. If I fell in love with a woman tomorrow, would I feel that it’s okay to want to kiss and touch her? If I fell in love with her? Absolutely! Yes!”.
In another interview for Maleficent in 2019, Jolie admitted in the most natural way that she had a crush on co-star Michelle Pfeiffer. But seriously, who wouldn’t?!
Powerful LGBTQIA+ Ally
Jolie’s commitment as a humanitarian extends to her advocacy in the LGBTQIA+ community. She actively works to combat discrimination of LGBTQIA+ people, fighting for equal rights regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. In Pride Month 2023, Jolie used her Instagram platform to raise awareness of the persecution and violence that marginalised communities were threatened with, especially the LGBTQIA+ refugees.
In 2021, Jolie had spoken out about how proud she was of Marvel’s decision to keep the gay kissing scene featured in Eternals, an American superhero film, even though the film was banned in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait. Jolie, who appears in the movie as Thena, told Australian outlet news.com.au that those who are angry about LGBTQIA+ representation in the movie are “ignorant.”
Jolie said, “I’m sad for [those audiences], and I’m proud of Marvel for refusing to cut those scenes out. I still don’t understand how we live in a world today where there’s still [people who] would not see the family Phastos has and the beauty of that relationship and that love. How anybody is angry about it, threatened by it, doesn’t approve or appreciate it is ignorant.”
Conclusion
Angelina Jolie’s journey continues to evolve, marked by her unwavering dedication to making a positive impact. In recent years however, she has been laying low and focusing on being there for her children as a mother of six. Let’s stay tuned for the ongoing chapters in her life, recognizing the influence of a woman who uses her platform to inspire change and foster compassion for the marginalised communities.
