Actor Wentworth Miller says he’s gay and against Russia’s oppressive law
Wentworth Miller is gay. And he strongly opposes a Russian law which forbid’s public displays of support for LGBT people in that country. On Wednesday, Miller responded to an invitation he had received to be “Guest of Honor” at the St. Petersburg International Film Festival with a public letter of dismay.
As relayed by GLAAD, Miller’s letter read:
“Thank you for your kind invitation. As someone who has enjoyed visiting Russia in the past and can also claim a degree of Russian ancestry, it would make me happy to say yes.
“However, as a gay man, I must decline.
“I am deeply troubled by the current attitude toward and treatment of gay men and women by the Russian government. The situation is in no way acceptable, and I cannot in good conscience participate in a celebratory occasion hosted by a country where people like myself are being systematically denied their basic right to live and love openly.
“Perhaps, when and if circumstances improve, I’ll be free to make a different choice.”
Miller is a Hollywood actor best known as the starring lead in “Prison Break,” and also for other roles in both television and film. It had been reported for several years on Hollywood gossip sites that Miller was gay, but the actor himself never seemed to publicly acknowledge his sexual orientation until today.
He is not alone. Several other celebs have come out this month: actor Lucas Cruikshank (aka Fred Figglehorn), actress Raven-Simone, wrestler Darren Young (aka Fred Rosser), actor Troy Sivan, actor Ben Whishaw, and Anton Krasovsky, a Russian TV journalist.
A number of Miller’s fellow celebrities congratulated him with posts in social media.
Neil Patrick Harris: Well done, Wentworth Miller. Bravo.
Wilson Cruz: As people from across the globe continue to speak out against Russia’s horrific law, more celebrities and corporations should follow his courageous lead in openly condemning Russia’s anti-LGBT law.
Stephen Fry: Good on you Wentworth!
Michelle Visage: I knew he was gay for years and I had hoped in his heyday that he would make a statement, but that didn’t happen and I know why. I am SURE everyone was up his ass (insert joke here) about not saying a word because of his heartthrob status and when you are young, successful and a cash cow for agents, you are in a situation I don’t wish on anyone who can’t be true to themselves…. So so happy and proud. This has got to be extremely freeing for him.
Thank you for your kind invitation. As someone who has enjoyed visiting Russia in the past andcan also claim a degree of Russian ancestry, it would make me happy to say yes.However, as a gay man, I must decline.I am deeply troubled by the current attitude toward and treatment of gay men and women bythe Russian government. The situation is in no way acceptable, and I cannot in good conscienceparticipate in a celebratory occasion hosted by a country where people like myself are beingsystematically denied their basic right to live and love openly.Perhaps, when and if circumstances improve, I’ll be free to make a different choice.Thank you for your kind invitation. As someone who has enjoyed visiting Russia in the past andcan also claim a degree of Russian ancestry, it would make me happy to say yes.However, as a gay man, I must decline.I am deeply troubled by the current attitude toward and treatment of gay men and women bythe Russian government. The situation is in no way acceptable, and I cannot in good conscienceparticipate in a celebratory occasion hosted by a country where people like myself are beingsystematically denied their basic right to live and love openly.Perhaps, when and if circumstances improve, I’ll be free to make a different choice.
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