Ian McKellen Urges Young Gay Actors to Come Out

Sir Ian McKellen, a prominent actor and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, has urged young gay actors to come out, labeling the decision to stay closeted as 'silly'. McKellen, who came out at the age of 48 in 1988, shared that he has never met anyone who regretted coming out and emphasized the positive impact it had on his own life and career. He compared the situation of closeted actors to that of Premier League footballers, noting that coming out could lead to significant fame and opportunities. Despite the progress in LGBTQ+ rights, McKellen highlighted the ongoing absence of openly gay Best Actor Oscar winners and openly gay Premier League footballers. He advised young actors to ignore potentially outdated advice from agents and instead listen to their hearts and supportive friends. McKellen has been a steadfast advocate in the community, co-founding the LGBTQ+ rights group Stonewall shortly after his own public announcement.