Sir Ian McKellen has a message for famous LGBTQ folks still hiding in the closet: “It’s silly—there’s no need for it.” And, of course, the internet had thoughts.
In a recent interview, the 85-year-old acting icon—who came out in 1988, when it could have torpedoed his career—opened up about the industry’s love-hate relationship with queer visibility. Discussing the upcoming revival of Edward II, a play he performed in before coming out, McKellen pointed out how times have changed. Yet, some things—like Hollywood’s deep-seated fear of LGBTQ+ stars living openly—haven’t changed enough.
“I would imagine young footballers are probably, like actors, getting very bad advice from agents who are worried about their own incomes,” he said, before adding, “The first Premier League footballer to come out will become the most famous footballer in the world.” In other words? The world is ready, but Hollywood’s gatekeepers are still clutching their pearls.
Naturally, some on social media accused McKellen of being “tone deaf,” arguing that coming out should be a personal choice. Others pointed out that LGBTQ+ folks still face discrimination, even in industries that claim to be inclusive. But let’s be real—McKellen never said coming out should be mandatory. He simply called out the outdated, fear-based thinking that keeps queer celebrities locked in the shadows.
The X-Men star doubled down, saying, “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.”
McKellen’s words carry weight. He has seen the industry evolve from an era when being out meant career suicide to today, where out-and-proud actors like Billy Porter, Elliot Page, and Janelle Monáe thrive. And yet, the fear lingers—especially for those in sports, mainstream pop music, and blockbuster franchises.
So is Hollywood still advising its LGBTQ+ stars to stay closeted? The answer, despite rainbow logos and Pride Month platitudes, is: yes, absolutely. Agents and publicists have long pushed stars to keep their personal lives ambiguous for the sake of marketability. And while McKellen isn’t here to force anyone out, he’s making it clear: Queer people lose far more by hiding than by living their truth.
At the end of the day, nobody has to come out before they’re ready. But McKellen, with nearly four decades of open, joyful queerness under his belt, is reminding us that the closet is a relic of an era that LGBTQ+ people have fought hard to leave behind.