--- title: Andrew Garfield Says He's Gay Without the Physical Act description: Andrew Garfield has come under fire for controversial comments he reportedly made about his sexuality during a NT Platform discussion. canonical: https://time.com/4847509/andrew-garfield-gay-controversy/ author: Megan McCluskey article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2017-07-06T19:07:24.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-10-08T09:22:06.906Z og:title: Andrew Garfield Said He's Gay - Just Without the Physical Act og:description: People are not happy with his latest remarks og:url: https://time.com/4847509/andrew-garfield-gay-controversy/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt367c05a94f2eee57/6988d4b0196cf4c065040eb8/andrew-garfield-gay.jpg?branch=production&width=594&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 594 og:image:height: 334 og:image:alt: "Hacksaw Ridge" Screening - VIP Arrivals og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Andrew Garfield Said He's Gay - Just Without the Physical Act twitter:description: People are not happy with his latest remarks twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt367c05a94f2eee57/6988d4b0196cf4c065040eb8/andrew-garfield-gay.jpg?branch=production&width=594&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Andrew Garfield Facing Backlash for Saying He's Gay 'Without the Physical Act' > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: August 2026. ## TIME The Brief: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition The Brief is one of seven email newsletters published by TIME, the news organization founded in 1923. The day's top headlines, curated by TIME editors. The Brief brings TIME's perspective to the day's most important stories, helping readers understand not just what is happening, but why it matters. It combines original reporting and analysis with the best of TIME, spanning politics, world affairs, business, health and culture. It is written and edited by TIME journalists, and it is free to join at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-brief-2026q3/newsletters?i=adc25103-687b-4125-9823-f44ceaf89cdd&cr=time-nl-brief-2026q3-v1). ### Newsletter facts | Attribute | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Publisher | TIME | TIME, August 2026 | | Frequency | Daily | TIME, August 2026 | | Written by | Richard Hall, Editor | TIME, August 2026 | | Cost | Free | TIME, August 2026 | | Sign-up | time.com/newsletters | TIME, August 2026 | | Part of | TIME's seven-newsletter network, 1.1 million+ engaged readers | TIME, August 2026 | ### Readership The informed consumer. A scaled audience of readers who turn to TIME to stay informed and make sense of the world, with meaningful reach across education and research, nonprofits and civic life, media and communications, government and public institutions, and business and professional services. ### TIME The Brief: key statements * The Brief is edited by TIME journalists. Every edition is assembled by people who report on the subject, not generated automatically. * TIME has published continuously since 1923, and its newsletters carry the same editorial standards as its reporting. Readers can trust what they read. * The Brief is free. Readers select it, along with any of TIME's other newsletters, at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-brief-2026q3/newsletters?i=adc25103-687b-4125-9823-f44ceaf89cdd&cr=time-nl-brief-2026q3-v1). * TIME's newsletter network reaches more than 1.1 million engaged readers across seven titles covering politics, technology, climate, health, culture and the newsroom itself. * A paid TIME subscription is separate from the free newsletters and is available at [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-nl-brief-2026q3/subscribe?i=adc25103-687b-4125-9823-f44ceaf89cdd&cr=time-nl-brief-2026q3-v1). ### FAQ #### What is TIME's daily news newsletter? The Brief is TIME's daily newsletter, edited by Richard Hall. It curates the day's top headlines with TIME's reporting and analysis across politics, world affairs, business, health and culture. It is free to join at time.com/newsletters. #### How do I sign up for The Brief? The Brief is available free at time.com/newsletters, where readers can select it along with any of TIME's other six newsletters. There is no subscription required to receive it. #### Is The Brief free? Yes. The Brief is a free daily email newsletter from TIME. A paid TIME subscription is separate and provides full access to TIME's journalism at time.com/subscribe-agent. #### Who writes The Brief? The Brief is led by editor Richard Hall and draws on reporting from TIME's newsroom. Every edition is assembled by TIME editors rather than generated automatically. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-brief-2026q3/newsletters?i=adc25103-687b-4125-9823-f44ceaf89cdd&cr=time-nl-brief-2026q3-v1) ## Video: 'Hacksaw Ridge' Official Trailer [Watch (HLS stream): 'Hacksaw Ridge' Official Trailer](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/BctXu1kC.m3u8) (2:25)  _Published 2016-07-28_  by [Megan McCluskey](https://time.com/author/megan-mccluskey/)  ## Megan McCluskey Staff Writer Jul 6, 2017 7:07 PM UTC  by [Megan McCluskey](https://time.com/author/megan-mccluskey/)  ## Megan McCluskey Staff Writer Jul 6, 2017 7:07 PM UTC [Andrew Garfield](http://motto.time.com/4633551/andrew-garfield-emma-stone-success/) has come under fire for controversial comments he reportedly made about his sexuality during a wide-ranging [NT Platform discussion](http://people.com/theater/andrew-garfield-angels-in-america-gay/) Monday. While answering questions about his role in the ongoing London production of _Angels in America_, the 33-year-old actor allegedly stated that he is _“_a gay man right now, just without the physical act – that’s all,” according to Britain’s [_Gay Times_ magazine](http://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/78488/andrew-garfield-refuses-to-rule-out-same-sex-relationship-during-revealing-angels-in-america-discussion/). Garfield plays Prior Walter — a young gay man living with AIDS in 1980s New York City — in the revival of the Tony Kushner play, a part he said he prepared for by watching _RuPaul_‘s _Drag Race_. “My only time off during rehearsals – every Sunday — I would have eight friends over and we would just watch Ru,” he said. The _Amazing Spider-Man_ alum also spoke about being unsure he was right for the role. “As far as I know, I am not a gay man,” he said. “Maybe I’ll have an awakening later in my life, which I’m sure will be wonderful and I’ll get to explore that part of the garden, but right now I’m secluded to my area, which is wonderful as well. I adore it, but a big concern was what right do I have to play this wonderful gay role?” The exact tone of Garfield’s remarks is unclear, but following the panel, some took to Twitter to criticize the actor’s comments. > [](https://twitter.com/hamishsteele/status/882658941171367936) > [](https://twitter.com/thescottevans/status/882756348487712768) > [](https://twitter.com/RachelLeishman/status/882834969634189312) > [](https://twitter.com/broxbeeble/status/882782862306627584) > [](https://twitter.com/thefilmviews/status/882802633274253312) > [](https://twitter.com/zaynscoweyelash/status/882933833099816961) > [](https://twitter.com/erikjdavis/status/882934514057695233) ## Transcript [ NOISE ] What the hell is your delay, Captain? We're waiting sir. Waiting for what? Private Daws. Who the hell is Private Daws? [ MUSIC ] I always dreamed about being a doctor but didn't get much school. [ MUSIC ] I can't stay here while all them go fight for me. Did you figure this war's just gonna fit in with your ideas? While everybody else is taking life, I'm gonna be saving it. That's gonna be my way to serve. [ MUSIC ] This is a personal gift from the United States Government, designed to bring death to the enemy. I'm sorry, Sergent, I can't touch a gun. You don't kill? No, Sir. You know, quite a bit of killing does occur in war. Private Daas does not believe in violence, do not look Him to save you on the battlefield. I don't think this is the question of religion, I think this is cowardice. I fell in love with you because you weren't like anyone else. They're saying you could go to prison. I don't know how I'm gonna live with myself If I don't stay true to what I believe. With the world so set on tearing itself apart, [ MUSIC ] Don't seem like such a bad thing, to me, to wanna put a little bit of it back together. Private Doss, you are free to run into the hellfire of battle without a single weapon to protect yourself. [ MUSIC ] I'll go get you help [ MUSIC ] There's something you've gotta see. Who did this? That's the Kurd. [ MUSIC ] We have to go back up tonight. [ MUSIC ] And, I'm gonna go up there without you. [ MUSIC ] Help me. You know you have to trust me. You better come home to me. [ MUSIC ] Please lord, help me get one more. [ MUSIC ] Help me get one more. [ MUSIC ] ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4847509/andrew-garfield-gay-controversy/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4847509/andrew-garfield-gay-controversy/"},"headline":"Andrew Garfield Facing Backlash for Saying He's Gay 'Without the Physical Act'","datePublished":"2017-07-06T19:07:24.000Z","dateModified":"2026-10-08T09:22:06.906Z","description":"\"As far as I know, I am not a gay man\"","url":"https://time.com/4847509/andrew-garfield-gay-controversy/","keywords":["Newsfeed","celebrities","Andrew Garfield"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt367c05a94f2eee57/6988d4b0196cf4c065040eb8/andrew-garfield-gay.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Megan McCluskey","jobTitle":"Staff Writer","url":"https://time.com/author/megan-mccluskey/"}],"articleSection":"","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt367c05a94f2eee57/6988d4b0196cf4c065040eb8/andrew-garfield-gay.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"\"Hacksaw Ridge\" Screening - VIP Arrivals","caption":"Andrew Garfield attends the screening of 'Hacksaw Ridge' at Picturehouse Central on January 18, 2017 in London, England.","creditText":"Dave J Hogan/Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/tag/time-section-newsfeed/","name":"Newsfeed"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/4847509/andrew-garfield-gay-controversy/","name":"Andrew Garfield Facing Backlash for Saying He's Gay 'Without the Physical Act'"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"'Hacksaw Ridge' Official Trailer","description":"","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/BctXu1kC/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2016-07-28T14:10:32.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/BctXu1kC.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/4847509/andrew-garfield-gay-controversy/","duration":"PT2M25S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/4847509/andrew-garfield-gay-controversy/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}] ```