‘I Regret Not Coming Out Much Earlier.’ – Ian McKellen Says
Sir Ian McKellen has said he wishes he had “seen the significance” of coming out as gay much earlier.
The veteran actor spoke to the Huffington Post about his decision not to come out until later in his career, saying once he did, he was much happier and “freer”.
The 76-year-old came out as gay in 1988, when campaigning against the now defunct Section 28.
Speaking to the Huffington Post, he said: “I think up to that point, I had been using acting as a disguise—somewhere where I could express my emotions, and draw attention to myself in a way that I didn’t particularly want to do in real life.
“Acting became not about disguise, but about telling the truth. And my emotions became much freer. I was able to act better as I think you are able to do any job. Everyone’s better if they’re being honest.”
Going on, he spoke of regret for not having come out earlier in his career.
“I regret and always shall that I didn’t see the significance of coming out at a much earlier date because I think I would have been a different person and a happier one,” the actor continued.
“Self-confidence is the most important thing that anybody can have. You don’t have that if part of you is ashamed or hiding something. I can reassure people who don’t feel they’re able to, the world will like you better because people like honesty and authenticity.”
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25 Comments
Fitzgerald
June 10, 03:27Sir Ian McKellen; Father Gaybraham.
Masked Man
June 10, 05:47Father Gaybraham.
Lol.
Fitz, well done.
Mercury
June 10, 06:27SMH for you Fitz
chestnut
June 10, 07:24Hahaha! Fitz,u’re too wrong for this…too,too wrong! LMAO
wildero64
June 10, 03:55I can’t imagine how awful life would be to be stuck in the closet for so long.
pinkpanthertb
June 10, 03:56You can’t imagine? You should come speak to a Nigerian. A majority of us gay men here will bring that imagination alive in your mind by the time that dialogue is over.
lol
wildero64
June 10, 04:00No I can’t. And I’ve spoken to lots of people about it. It hasn’t been my experience. I feel sorry for people who don’t have that option.
pinkpanthertb
June 10, 04:01I feel envy for people who do. 🙂
wildero64
June 10, 04:02Hopefully some day it will be possible for everybody in my country, yours and everywhere else. Best wishes to you.
Khaleesi
June 10, 10:09@Wildero, it will take upwards of 70yrs for attitudes to change here, the culture and religion induced homophobia is alive and kicking stronger everyday …
kacee
June 10, 05:32Amen to that
Sinnex
June 10, 06:18Eeeyah
#TeamKizito
June 10, 07:09Hmmm. Magneto.
Max
June 10, 08:00And Gandalf… My boo..☺☺.. Look @ my avatar..
Max
June 10, 07:56“You don’t have that if part of you is ashamed or hiding something”
You’ve heard it people.. Come out to your people and be happier 🙂
Teflondon
June 10, 08:00You out to your people Max? No? Tot as much.. No way you got such “balls”
Max
June 10, 09:29Humor dear… Learn to recognize it..
*brings out garden scissors*** *cuts your crooked claws**
Teflondon
June 10, 08:03Coolness personified. Ian Mckellen
Epitome of awesomeness!
Dopest man of his generation IMO.
To say I love this man is an understatement.
Andrevn
June 10, 09:02There goes my fav wizard of all time
I wonder what his sigil is tho..
I would so do you lan, even if you were a first grade #basher….
This whole coming out ish is becoming so tempting and…….*shuts Adamantium cast door to closet tightly with locks forged from a shooting star and goes back to filing nails*
lluvmua
June 10, 11:28Coming out?????? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm naaaa maybe in 80 years time….
Gad
June 10, 12:04Hmmm
#TeamKizito
June 10, 13:35Max, isn’t that Dumbledoore? :s
Andrevn
June 10, 16:35Baits the Duchess outta her Royally and exquisitely furnished closet with an illusion of god-like hunks waving tasty chocolate candy bars in-between their thighs for the asking *comeon gurl! We both know you want the “freedom” to SEE,FEEL and TASTE the world. Winks* *Sits on ornate ivory chair deep inside closet and peers deep into Crystal ball as evil smile spreading wryly across face*
bola
June 11, 21:24Yea I wish I could be like a. Straight guy kissing my boyfriend anywhere and being myself but in a country like nigeria it can never happen just met a beautiful gay dude and he so so cool and I really like him so much you guys should pray he ask me out
Gad
June 12, 01:06These constant lamentations on how homophobic the Nigerian environment is is beginning to sound like an old record but since it’s what we all want to hear no one will complain.