James Franco says'I'm just gay'about playing three homosexual characters

James Francohas long been the subject of rumors that he's"gay"-- and he's milking the gossip for all its worth.

The 32-year-old actor -- who playedHarvey Milk's lover in"Milk"and gay writerAllen Ginsbergin"Howl"-- fueled speculation about his sexual orientation in a recent interview withEntertainment Weekly, in which he claimed he gravitated towards gay characters because they are faced with societal"opposition."

"You know what?"he said, editing his statement,"Maybe I'm just gay."

Franco, who has been dating actressAhna O'Reillysince April 2006, ripped the press for being"black-and-white."

"It's all cut-and-dry identity politics. 'Is he straight or is he gay?' Or, 'This is your third gay movie - come out already!'"he told etonline.com."And all based on... the idea that your object of affection decides your sexuality."

The actor's latest character, homosexual poetHart Crane, in the yet-to-be-released"The Broken Tower"is the third homosexual role for Franco, though he said their sexuality is not the only aspect that interests him.

"There are lots of other reasons to be interested in gay characters than wanting myself to go out and have sex with guys,"Franco said."I've played a gay man who's living in the 60s and 70s, a gay may who we depicted in the 50s, and one being in the 20s. And those were all periods when to be gay, at least being gay in public, was much more dificult."

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