Colman Domingo on Constantly Getting Scripts About Slavery, Being Queer

When Colman Domingo chooses projects, he isn’t looking to be pigeonholed by his sexuality and identity.

That’s why the Oscar-nominated actor recently told GQ that he sometimes questions the scripts that come across his desk at his production company Edith, which he co-runs with his husband Raúl Domingo.

“The two things that I constantly get sent are about slavery and being queer,” he explained. “And I always think, ‘So why are you sending me this, if this isn’t even any of my interests, really?’”

Domingo, an openly gay Black-Latin filmmaker and actor, added that he’s more drawn to writing and producing stories that “have a lot of light in them.” 

While he’s known for being a dramatic actor, he’s also ready to strive for something new in other genres, such as comedy. That’s also why he added this line for his character in his new movie Sing Sing: “Dying is easy. Comedy is hard.”

However, Domingo will forever be grateful for his serious roles, notably for his portrayal of civil rights activist Bayard Rustin in 2023’s Rustin, which scored him his first Oscar nomination. “I like that I’m known for gravitas. If, at the end of the day, people want to know me for gravitas, I’ll take that,” he said. “Because some people wish they could be known for gravitas. … And there’s no way they could have gravitas.”

Domingo’s sexuality has also been part of his entire Hollywood career, having come out to his family in his 20s, but that doesn’t mean he wants particular narratives constantly attached to him. Even when fans don’t realize he’s queer, he thinks, “I don’t even know what that means. Am I supposed to have some indicator on me?”

Regarding the way sexuality is perceived in the industry, the Fear the Walking Dead actor added, “I would always be confused with the people who were suddenly honored because they came out after a long time of being in the closet. And they came out, and suddenly they’re given the keys to the city. They’re getting more access, they’re getting honors and awards and things like this.”

“After a while, you sit there with your own feelings, you’re like, but what about the people who just have been out, who’ve been taking possible knocks or lack of access?” Domingo continued. “And no one’s giving them any praise or awards for that?”