Sir Ian McKellen slams Hollywood’s lack of LGBT representation
The former Attitude cover star claimed no one looks to Hollywood for social commentary
By Steve Brown
Sir Ian McKellen has said no one looks to Hollywood for “social commentary”.
The actor and gay activist has starred in a large number of Hollywood movies – most notably the Lord of the Rings franchise – but McKellen, who came out in 1988, has slammed the industry for its lack of LGBT representation.
Speaking to Time Out Magazine, the former Attitude cover star said: “Well, nobody looks to Hollywood for social commentary, do they?
“They only recently discovered that there were black people in the world. Hollywood has mistreated women in every possible way throughout its history.
“Gay men don’t exist.”
McKellen went on to cite 1998’s Gods and Monsters – in which he starred as director James Whale – triggered a new climate of acceptance in the industry.
He said it was “the beginning of Hollywood admitting that there were gay people knocking around, even though half of Hollywood is gay.”
His comments come after GLAAD found only 12.8 per cent of mainstream films featured LGBT+ characters and the advocacy group called for the number to rise to 50 per cent by 2024.