The internet is absolutely abuzz this morning with the news of Wentworth Miller having come out and outrightly confessed that he is a “Gay Man”. While many (many!) ladies around the world will be sad, the response to his coming out has been overwhelmingly positive and supportive. This may have something to do with the nature of his coming out too; he revealed his sexual orientation in a letter to the St Petersburg International Film Festival, declining his invitation to the event. Miller declared,
“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”
This letter and the publicity surrounding it have been a striking response to the recent spells of homophobia sweeping through Russia, where several anti-gay laws have been passed in recent times and the LGBT community has been completely shunned and treated with violence, brutality and discrimination.
The letter is a strong message to LGBT communities around the world. The spokesperson for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD, an association of which Wentworth is a member) Wilson Cruz, went on record to say, “Wentworth’s bold show of support sends a powerful message to LGBT Russians, who are facing extreme violence and persecution: you are not alone.”
Wentworth’s full letter can be seen below. Everybody at ZAlebs would just like to say Kudos to the hunky star for having such integrity and hopefully he will inspire others to do the same.
Re: St. Petersburg International Film Festival / “Guest of Honor” Invitation
Dear Ms. Averbakh:
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.
Until then,
Wentworth Miller
Member, HRC
Member, GLAAD
Member, The ManKind Project
