Legendary actor Ian McKellen is encouraging famous queer people to come out of the closet — and not everyone is thrilled with the suggestion. In a recent interview with The Times, McKellen shared his thoughts about Christopher Marlowe’s Edward II, a play that explores a relationship between King Edward II and Piers Gaveston. McKellen himself played Gaveston in 1969, years before publicly coming out as gay. The discussion turned to the impact of coming out for celebrities. He recalled how Sir Alec Guinness once compared his decision to come out to “getting involved in politics,” while another actor, Simon Callow, saw no point in staying in the closet at all.
During the discussion, McKellen, now 85, said,
“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.”
The quote quickly went viral, but some responses were less than supportive. Some emphasized that coming out is not easy, whether famous or not, and that everyone should do so when they’re ready. While McKellen acknowledged the ongoing struggles faced by queer individuals, he also highlighted the personal and professional benefits of coming out. He said, “I have never met anybody who came out who regretted it. Listen to your heart. Listen to your gay friends who know better. Come out. Get into the sunshine.”
