When Sir Ian McKellen carried out the primary same-sex kiss on British TV within the 1970 BBC manufacturing of Christopher Marlowe’s Edward II, he was not but out. In truth, it might be one other 18 years earlier than the Lord Of The Rings icon would come out as homosexual. Now, a long time later, the elder LGBTQ+ advocate is mentoring one other man taking over the function of the tortured homosexual king of England. Moreover, McKellen is sharing some recommendation for younger, homosexual actors and never simply those within the aforementioned play.
Each time a giant manufacturing of Edward II has been placed on, it has been a monumental second for LGBTQ+ rights, considerably coincidentally. This new Royal Shakespeare firm manufacturing, starring Daniel Evans and Eloka Ivo, is not any totally different. Even in 2025, there are nonetheless actors and different celebrities who received’t come out, satisfied to stay closeted. Whereas talking with The Sunday Occasions, 85-year-old Sir McKellen made an enchantment to these people to come back out:
I’ve by no means met anyone who got here out who regretted it. I really feel sorry for any well-known one that feels they’ll’t come out. Being within the closet is foolish — there’s no want for it. Don’t take heed to your advisers, take heed to your coronary heart. Take heed to your homosexual mates who know higher. Come out. Get into the sunshine.
These usually are not empty phrases from the Richard III star. Inside a 12 months of popping out himself, on the age of 48 in 1988, Ian McKellen helped co-found Stonewall, a gaggle that actively campaigns for LGBTQ+ rights. As for his co-workers within the business, the Da Vinci Code actor has constantly inspired his performing mates to take the identical step he did. Titanic‘s Victor Garber stated it was McKellen who initially advised him he ought to come out, though he didn’t achieve this till he was older, very like the knighted actor himself.
It simply goes to point out that Ian McKellen actually practices what he preaches. Not solely has he helped give individuals the boldness to stay as their true selves, however he additionally is likely one of the first to congratulate his friends once they do come out. The knighted actor was overjoyed for X-Males co-star Elliot Web page when he got here out as transgender in 2020. McKellen additionally despatched phrases of help and affirmation to JoJo Siwa, who got here out as homosexual in 2021.
Maybe the British star’s robust phrases of recommendation come from individuals questioning his personal resolution to come back out. He advised the Occasions that Sir Alec Guinness as soon as took him out to lunch and requested the Hobbit actor if he was certain he “needs to be getting concerned in politics.” Nevertheless, that was by no means one thing the Shakespearean veteran was ever involved about, and he is since jumped on the alternative to take roles in a number of the greatest LGBTQ+ movies and productions of all time.
Sir Ian McKellen and actors like him give me hope for the way forward for LGBTQ+ rights and illustration, particularly within the movie business. It’s so vital to inform well-represented and correct queer tales, but it surely’s much more vital to be outspoken about them, just like the King Lear actor.
With out these advocates, the movie and TV business would have by no means progressed to the purpose the place we’ve got brazenly homosexual actors like Jonathan Bennet breaking stereotypes on display and on a regular basis homosexual characters on TV exhibits. It’s helped create an surroundings during which individuals really feel assured to write down and pitch queer storylines to main manufacturing corporations, leading to an entire record of LGBTQ+ films to look ahead to.
That doesn’t imply the work is finished although, and progress made for the LGBTQ+ group within the media is all the time in danger. All I can say is it’s the suitable time for a brand new adaptation of Edward II, and the RSC is actually fortunate to have somebody as encouraging and open as Ian McKellen.