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Ian McKellen feels 'sorry' for LGBTQ+ celebs in 'silly' closet
Sir Ian McKellen on stage during Pride in London 2019 at Trafalgar Square on July 6, 2019.
The gay Gandalf actor's remarks were met with some backlash.
Ian McKellen is encouraging famous queer people to come out of the closet — and not everyone is taking too kindly to the suggestion.
The legendary actor recently spoke with The Times about about Christopher Marlowe’s Edward II. The play, which is on the cusp of revival by the Royal Shakespeare Company, explores a relationship between the titular king and Piers Gaveston. McKellen himself tackled the latter back in 1969, nearly two decades prior to publicly coming out as gay himself.
The conversation revolved around the queer history of the play, the actors (many queer themselves) who have brought it to life over the years, and how putting on an explicitly gay production has differed from decade to decade.
At several points, McKellen ruminated about the idea of fame—whether as a monarch, an actor, or another type of public figure entirely—and coming out. He recalled Sir Alec Guinness apprehensively equating McKellen’s coming out to "getting involved in politics," while another actor of his generation, Simon Callow, "saw no point in the closet at all."
"I feel sorry for any famous person who feels they can’t come out," the X-Men star admitted. "Being in the closet is silly — there’s no need for it."
It’s an excellent soundbite, making it no surprise that the quote went viral sans context. It wasn’t long before some people started pushing back — or, at least, thinking that’s what they were doing.
"Well, they should come out on their own terms," reads one response.
"you can’t say something like this and also claim gay people are still being discriminated against and disowned," another person wrote. "i know his heart was in the right place but it feels tone deaf."
Another X user whose bio declares himself an "anti-woke supporter of FREE SPEECH" replied with, "WHY? We’re all entitled to a private life."
"his heart was in the right place but it’s not easy at all to just come out in general whether you’re famous or not," said another. "a lot of people still struggle with their sexuality."
None of these things are actually at odds with McKellen’s advice. He notes in the interview that LGBTQ+ "always have to be alert" regarding possible oppression, and is keenly aware that our rights are currently coming under fire throughout the world.
But he’s also been on this earth for 85 years. He’s had an acting career for 66 of those years, and has been out to the public for 37. McKellen has perspective that very few do. He’s watched things shift over the decades, including the professional repercussions — and benefits — of coming out as LGBTQ+ as a public figure.
He’s also observed the personal repercussions of making the conscious decision to remain in the closet. And the greater context of his quote involved questioning who benefits from queer celebrities hiding their sexuality. Spoiler alert: it’s not the celebrities.
"I would imagine young footballers are probably, like actors, getting very bad advice from agents who are worried about their own incomes. 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," McKellen said.
"I have never met anybody who came out who regretted it," he continued. "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. Listen to your gay friends who know better. Come out. Get into the sunshine."
Nobody is obligated to come out before they’re ready. And of course there are scenarios in which it isn’t safe or wise to do so. But McKellen is so clearly speaking from the perspective of a man who lived through an era where staying closeted was the standard advice for anyone touched by fame — and who gave that advice the middle finger and went on to live a successful, fulfilling life out in the open.
Suggesting celebrities "listen to [their] heart" rather than the money-hungry voices whispering in their ear isn’t a demand. It’s a gift of encouragement directed at a small subset of people who may need to hear from someone with a unique understanding of what they’re facing, and what they stand to gain from being true to themselves.
Rachel Kiley is presumably a writer and definitely not a terminator. She can usually be found crying over queerbaiting in the Pitch Perfect franchise or on Twitter, if not both.
Rachel Kiley is presumably a writer and definitely not a terminator. She can usually be found crying over queerbaiting in the Pitch Perfect franchise or on Twitter, if not both.
