Here’s Why Ian McKellen Said He Feels “Sorry” For Queer Actors Who Choose To Stay “In The Closet”
“I have never met anybody who came out who regretted it.”
And now, almost 40 years after Ian first came out of the closet, he’s encouraging other queer celebrities to follow in his footsteps. “I have never met anybody who came out who regretted it,” the X-Men star said. “I feel sorry for any famous person who feels they can’t come out. Being in the closet is silly — there’s no need for it. Don’t listen to your advisers, listen to your heart.”
Dave Benett / Dave Benett/Getty Images for The Wolseley Hospitality Group
Ian also talked about the benefits of being open with one’s sexuality. Noting that there has never been an openly gay recipient of Best Actor at the Oscars, Ian McKellen compared closeted actors to closeted male sports players.
Dave Benett / Dave Benett/Getty Images for The Wolseley Hospitality Group
“In women’s sport, it’s not an issue. I would imagine young footballers are probably, like actors, getting very bad advice from agents who are worried about their own incomes,” said Ian. “But the first Premier League footballer to come out will become the most famous footballer in the world, with all the agencies begging for his name on their products.”
WPA Pool / Getty Images
Back in 1988, Ian came out as gay as an act of protest against proposed legislation by the UK’s Prime Minister at the time, Margaret Thatcher, who was advocating for the criminalization of the “promotion of homosexuality.”
John Phillips / Getty Images for Warner Bros Pictures
But despite the risks, Ian was already proving that his bravery was worth it. He came out the year after he played the iconic gay character Edward II onstage in Scotland, in a production that was transferred to television. The show made history as it contained the first onscreen same-sex kiss ever shown on British TV. “I still hear from men of my generation who say that kiss was a huge moment for them,” Ian told The Times.
Dave Benett / Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/WireImage
Ian added that during the play’s run in Scotland, a local councilor complained to the police about the production due to its portrayal of homosexuality, which was still illegal in Scotland at the time. However, after the police deemed the play “fit for consumption,” Ian said that due to the publicity the play received from the incident, tickets sold out.
Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images
However, he also recognizes that the changing state of the world is making circumstances more dangerous, saying that “the picture is not so good.” As of right now, multiple states in the US are actively trying to delegalize gay marriage. “We always have to be alert,” Ian said.
Iona Wolff / BAFTA via Getty Images
But even so, Ian is still encouraging queer actors to live their truth. “Listen to your gay friends who know better. Come out. Get into the sunshine,” Ian concluded.
Jeff Spicer / Getty Images for Warner Bros Pictures
