News > Celeb > Sir Ian McKellen Tops the "Pink List"

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TUESDAY JULY 4 2006 6:00 PM

Sir Ian McKellen Tops the "Pink List"

Submitted by Alyk

Edited by Alyk

Tags: Sir Ian McKellen,, UK, Pink List, , Elton John,, Gay, Bully

Sir Ian McKellen topped the Pink List, a ranking of the U.K.s most influential gay men and women who lead their respective fields, including the arts, media, politics and business. Critics lauded not only McKellens work in The Lord of the Rings, but also for his work campaigning for gay rights. He knocked last years number one from the top spotElton John.

Despite the strides McKellen and other gay advocates made in recent years, McKellen claimed he worries for children who, struggling with their sexuality, face abuse at the hands of uncaring bullies. He said the word gay picked up a disturbing stigma, and he would like to see it change.

He says, "One of my main concerns is for school children who think they are gay and get bullied in the playground. Gay now has a new definition. Young people use it to mean 'rubbish' - how awful is it for a young adolescent boy or girl to think that they are rubbish? Schools and school teachers need to be trained how to help these children. I was one of the speakers in Trafalgar Square at the weekend and I suggested we abandon that word and use another word beginning with G. Gorgeous. I said, 'Look at me. I am gorgeous!'"

Others on the The Gay and Gorgeous Pink List:

1. Sir Ian McKellen - Actor
2. Sir Elton John - Musician
3. Gary Frisch and Henry Badenhorst - Founders and owners of gaydar.co.uk
4. Sir Cameron Mackintosh - Impresario
5. Peter Mandelson - EU Trade Commissioner
6. Sir Michael Bishop - Chairman, BMI
7. John Galliano - Fashion Designer & Couturier
8. Alan Bennett - Playwright & Author
9. Matt Lucas - Comedian
10. Alexander McQueen - Fashion Designer

Why isnt Tom Cruise listed? Oh yeah, hes American.

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Comments

SomethingStupid

North Hollywood, CA

March 2004

JUL 05, 2006 12:35 AM

msupenguin said:
am i the only one who didnt realize he was gay?

Well, since he's been out since before it was okay to be gay...yeah, kind of. But it's not like you can tell from the way he acts, so you have some defense.

Darke

Columbia, MO

June 2005

JUL 05, 2006 04:33 AM

msupenguin said:
am i the only one who didnt realize he was gay?

No, but most who are aware of themes in his films such as "Gods and Monsters" (which was a excellent film), "Bent", and "Six Degrees of Separation".

I imagine some of our Brit friends would be more aware:
From IMDB
"In 1988, Ian publicly came out of the closet on the BBC Radio 4 program, while discussing Margaret Thatcher's "section 28" legislation which would make the "public promotion of homosexuality" a crime. It was reason enough for McKellen to take a stand, and he has been active in the Gay Rights movement ever since."

Necrosis

Australia

January 2006

JUL 05, 2006 05:52 AM

Alyk said:
Why isn't Tom Cruise listed? Oh yeah, he's American.

Very nicely done.

Anonym

Sarnia, ON

January 2005

JUL 05, 2006 04:31 PM

I really love how four of the top ten have been Knighted.

MissKittenbot

Richmond, VA

June 2006

JUL 05, 2006 07:52 PM