'Come out, come out, whoever you are!' Ian McKellen on why it's high time

“I have never come across anyone who has come out and regretted it,” says Ian McKellen, 85.

In an interview with The Times, McKellen expressed sympathy for public figures who feel unable to come out, stating, “I feel sorry for all those famous people who feel they can’t. Hiding in the closet is stupid, there’s no need for it. Don’t listen to your advisors, listen to your heart. Listen to your gay friends who know better. Come out. Step into the light.”

McKellen then turned his focus to the realm of sports, highlighting the barriers that persist for athletes. He noted that while there seems to be progress in women’s sports, challenges remain for male athletes, particularly in the context of football. He acknowledged, “I imagine young footballers, like actors, receive terrible advice from agents concerned about their earnings. But the first Premier League footballer to come out will become the most famous footballer in the world, with all the agencies clamouring to have his name on their products.”

McKellen finished up by expressing cautious optimism about the evolving attitude towards LGBTQ+ individuals in the UK, particularly following the legalisation of same-sex marriage. He hoped that these changes would lead to greater acceptance and less fear among the LGBTQ+ community. However, he also pointed out that the situation varies significantly around the world, indicating that while there are advancements, there remains considerable work to be done internationally.

Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
9

Notes:
The narrative is recent, dated March 2025, and references current societal issues, indicating it is not old or recycled news.

Quotes check

Score:
8

Notes:
While specific quotes are provided, the earliest known reference could not be verified online. However, the context suggests these might be original quotes from a recent interview.

Source reliability

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative originates from ‘Il Fatto Quotidiano’, an Italian newspaper known for its investigative journalism, though not as globally recognized as major outlets like the BBC or Financial Times.

Plausability check

Score:
9

Notes:
The claims about Ian McKellen’s views on coming out and LGBTQ+ issues are plausible and align with his known advocacy. The discussion on sports and societal changes also seems reasonable.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The narrative appears to be recent and discusses plausible issues related to Ian McKellen’s advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. While the source is not as globally recognized as some major outlets, it is still a reputable publication. The quotes, though unverified online, are consistent with McKellen’s known views.