Sir Ian McKellen says he’s never met a gay person who ‘regretted coming out’
The 77-year-old made the comment on Twitter as he celebrated the 30th anniversary of his coming out
Sir Ian McKellen said he has never met a gay person who “regretted” coming out.
The actor and LGBT activist made the comment on Twitter yesterday (January 27) while celebrating the 30th anniversary of his coming out.
McKellen commemorated the day with a powerful statement about the power of coming out.
He wrote: “I’ve never met a gay person who regretted coming out – including myself. Life at last begins to make sense, when you are open and honest.”
He added” “Today is the 30th anniversary of the BBC radio discussion when I publically said I was gay. So I’m celebrating.”
I’ve never met a gay person who regretted coming out – including myself. Life at last begins to make sense, when you are open and honest. Today is the 30th anniversary of the BBC radio discussion when I publically said I was gay. So I’m celebrating!
— Ian McKellen (@IanMcKellen) January 27, 2018
The 77-year-old came out publicly in 1988 in response to the Thatcher government’s Section 28 legislation forbidding the “promotion” of homosexuality in schools around the country.
He later co-founded LGBT rights charity Stonewall before going on to become one of the UK’s most vocal LGBT+ rights campaigners.
Just last November McKellen urged actors not to worry about coming out and claimed that being open about his sexuality helped his career.