Sir Ian McKellan Says Coming Out Was The Best Decision He's Ever Made

Ian McKellen, the renowned actor celebrated for his iconic roles in The Lord of the Rings and countless other films, recently shared his profound reflections on a pivotal moment in his life — the day he courageously came out as gay.

In an recent interview with Variety, McKellen passionately recounted how the decision he made 35 years ago to openly live in his truth literally transformed his life, declaring that it changed everything "for the better."

The catalyst for McKellen's public acknowledgment of his sexuality was the backdrop of oppressive laws in the United Kingdom. These laws sought to suppress the "promotion of homosexuality" by local officials. In defiance of this unjust legislation, McKellen decided to come out during a radio broadcast, making a powerful statement of protest.

The impact of this decision was swift and profound.

McKellen recounted that "almost overnight everything in my life changed for the better." His relationships with others deepened, and his entire approach to acting underwent a transformation.

Previously, his acting prowess had been characterized by the art of disguise — adopting eccentric voices and peculiar walks. It was a form of acting that revolved around concealing his true self from the world. However, after coming out, he found a new artistic authenticity. He no longer felt compelled to run alongside his characters, explaining their motivations to the audience. Instead, he seamlessly became the characters he portrayed.

McKellen also pondered the trajectory his career might have taken had he not made this pivotal choice. He questioned whether he would have made the transition from stage to film, highlighting the profound impact of concealing one's true identity.

“People who are not gay just simply don’t know how it damages you to be lying about what you are and ashamed of yourself,” McKellen said. “I was brought up at a time when it was illegal for me to have sex with a man. And that was not that long ago.”