Heath Ledger Had The Perfect Response To Homophobic Reaction To 'Brokeback Mountain's' Gay Love Story

Heath Ledger was one of the most talented actors in the industry who took on some really memorable roles. His role as the Joker in The Dark Knight has earned him widespread acclaim and is considered one of his best works. Another film and role that Ledger was a part of that is brought up often is his portrayal of Ennis Del Mar in Brokeback Mountain. Ledger passed away in 2008 after an accidental overdose of medications. 

On the occasion of what would have been Ledger's 43rd birthday (April 4), fans are paying tribute to the man who stood by the LGBTQ community following the release of Brokeback Mountain which was based on the 1997 short story of the same name by Annie Proulx. It follows the story of two American cowboys, Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist, in the American West as they explore their sexual and emotional relationship with each other.

An old clip of the actor's response to homophobia has resurfaced on social media. Back in 2005, Brokeback Mountain was a huge step for queer representation onscreen when there was still a lot more prejudice and taboos than there are today.

During a press conference, Ledger was asked by a reporter how he would handle the section of the audience who would find the homosexual themes of the movie "disgusting." Ledger had the best answer for it. "I think it's a real shame - I think it's immature for one," he said and was 26 years old at the time. "I think it's an incredible shame that people go out of their way to voice their disgust or negative opinions against the ways in which two people choose to love each other. At least voice your opinions about how two people show hate and violence and anger towards each other. Isn't that more important? I think so." 

He went on to say, "I also feel like it will surprise people. It's obviously about two men in love and it's obviously gay-themed and it's very easily labeled, but unfortunately, people are quick in life to label something that they're uncomfortable with. The pure fact of it is that it transcends a label." He profoundly added, "It's human. It's a story of two human beings, two souls who are in love. Get over the fact it's two men. That's the point. The movie is not the story of an epidemic of a virus or something that can be cured in a hospital. We're showing that love between two men is just as infectious and emotional and strong and pure as it is with heterosexual love." 

Ledger concluded by saying, "And if you can't understand that, just don't go see the movie." His co-star, Jake Gyllenhaal revealed in 2020 that Ledger had refused to appear at the 2007 Academy Awards ceremony because of a gay joke he was supposed to make in reference to Brokeback Mountain. "I was sort of at the time, ‘Oh, OK … whatever.’ I’m always like, ‘It’s all in good fun.’ And Heath said, ‘It’s not a joke to me—I don’t want to make any jokes about it,'" he recalled, adding, "That’s the thing I loved about Heath. He would never joke. Someone wanted to make a joke about the story or whatever, he was like: ‘No. This is about love. Like, that’s it, man. Like, no.'"