Travolta says 'Hairspray' isn't a gay film

MSNBC/July 3, 2007
By Jeannette Walls

John Travolta says that gay-rights folks who are looking to boycott "Hairspray" don't know what they're talking about.

The 1988 version of the film is a cult classic in which late drag queen Divine plays the role that Travolta has in the 2007 flick.

"Travolta, a prominent Scientologist, has no business reprising an iconic gay role, given his [religion's] stance on gay issues," notes Kevin Naff, managing editor of the Washington Blade, who has been spearheading the call for a boycott.

"There is nothing gay in this movie," Travolta told the London Times on-line. "I'm not playing a gay man." Besides, the actor insists, Scientology isn't anti-gay, despite numerous reports that it seeks to "cure" homosexuality.

"Scientology is not homophobic in any way," he said. "In fact it's one of the more tolerant faiths. Anyone's accepted."

Meanwhile, it looks like another Travolta film, "Dallas," is still in limbo. The "Wild Hogs" actor is set to star as Texas tycoon J.R. Ewing in a remake of the long-running television series.

"They've paid me for 'Dallas,' so I'm contracted, but they have had five scripts, none of which has worked," he said. "There's another attempt being worked on, which I hope will be possible."