Prison Break Star Wenworth Miller Comes Out in Letter to Russian Film Festival

[Kad]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 6:41pm

"Wentworth Miller has released a letter rejecting an invitation to a Russian film festival, and he cites being gay as the primary reason.

The Prison Break star revealed that he is gay through a letter to the director of the St. Petersburg International Film Festival, published on GLAAD's website. E! News reports that this is the actor's first public confirmation of his sexual orientation.

"Thank you for your kind invitation," Miller wrote. "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 41-year-old actor continued. "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."
Wentworth Miller Comes Out, Blasts Russia's Antigay Laws

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 6:58pm

Wow.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 7:01pm

Bravo!

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 7:03pm

I thought this was pretty much known. Didn't he date Luke MacFarlane?

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 7:10pm

I think the fact of his orientation being known or unknown is less of a point than the bold message he sent to the St. Petersburg festival.

[Wildcard]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 7:11pm

Well, it's widely known in the gay community. Elsewhere though, even if there were rumblings, people refuse to believe things like this until the official confirmations. They either can't believe that the masculine guy in the prison show could be gay or that he can't be gay since they hope they have a chance to be with him.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 7:13pm

^Pretty much known isn't the same as publicly acknowledging it. Lucas Cruikshank came out yesterday in one of his youtube videos, and while most people assumed he was gay just from hearing him speak, it was still the first time he acknowledged it and not any less brave or deserving of ridicule from know-it-alls.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 7:42pm

See what ripping the duct tape of of your mouth can do!!!!


Good for him!!!!

Everyone needs to tear off that damned duct tape and make yourselves heard!

LOUD AND PROUD!!

[jnb9872]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 7:57pm

Absolute tip o' the hat to him.

[Kad]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 9:32pm

"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."

Seems like a pretty unsubtle jab at the Olympics, too.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 9:37pm

MORE OF THIS!

[Wynbish]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 10:04pm

I am always reminded of what Zachary Quinto said about even needing to publicly come out at all for public figures

"when i found out that jamey rodemeyer killed himself, i felt deeply troubled. but when i found out that jamey rodemeyer had made an it gets better video only months before taking his own life – i felt indescribable despair. i also made an it gets better video last year, in the wake of the senseless and tragic gay teen suicides that were sweeping the nation at the time. but in light of jamey’s death – it became clear to me in an instant that living a gay life without publicly acknowledging it – is simply not enough to make any significant contribution to the immense work that lies ahead on the road to complete equality . our society needs to recognize the unstoppable momentum toward unequivocal civil equality for every gay lesbian bisexual and transgendered citizen of this country. gay kids need to stop killing themselves because they are made to feel worthless by cruel and relentless bullying. parents need to teach their children principles of respect and acceptance. we are witnessing an enormous shift of collective consciousness throughout the world. we are at the precipice of great transformation within our culture and government. i believe in the power of intention to change the landscape of our society – and it is my intention to live an authentic life of compassion and integrity and action. jamey rodemeyer’s life changed mine. and while his death only makes me wish that i had done this sooner – i am eternally grateful to him for being the catalyst for change within me. now i can only hope to serve as the same catalyst for even one other person in this world. that – i believe – is all that we can ask of ourselves and of each other."

This is even more so with Wentworth's connection with Russia



Updated On: 8/21/13 at 10:04 PM

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 10:09pm

Yes it was the worst kept secret for many years but i am happy he made it public for the reason he did, good on him

[MikeInTheDistrict]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 10:15pm

He's 41?!? Damn.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 10:19pm

This is what's called "integrity." It is almost overwhelmingly inspiring.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 10:25pm

See, Putin? Cuz if he went near your political cesspool he would have to break out of prison in a real prison break.

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 8/21/13 at 11:43pm

Well, it's widely known in the gay community. Elsewhere though, even if there were rumblings, people refuse to believe things like this until the official confirmations.

Yup, reminds me of the big *shock* straight people had when Anderson Cooper, Ricky Martin et al came out publicly.

I applaud Wentworth for his well-written and courageous letter.

[Jungle Red]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 3:45am

The picture on the right is from 2010. I'm only posting because every picture I've seen of him in the last day has been from his Prison Break days. He was so hot on the show. WTF happened?

[VeraCharles3]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 5:09am

Eloquently put, Kudos to Mr Miller

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 6:29am

Those pics as you stated were taken in 2010. Three years ago.

People go through changes. People gain and lose weight, change their hairstyle, etc. I personally don't see what the issue is. He's still an attractive looking man. So what if he doesn't have a six pack. So what if he doesn't look like he stepped off the pages of GQ. Neither do you and neither do I.





Updated On: 8/22/13 at 06:29 AM

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 7:34am

Every once in a while the real "poster now known as Jungle Red" shows up. I remember it all so well.

[Jungle Red]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 10:38am

I was just pointing out the media's use of gorgeous people to sell their product. He's still a handsome man, and he may have lost the weight.

If I was him, and saw pictures that were almost 10 years old (Prison Break started in 2005) related to a day old article, I'd chuckle.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 11:14am

It's a much different letter than what he sent out a few years ago.

My bestie worked with him back in the 90's at their day jobs. He was openly gay at the time. Just as he was about to hit it big, he sent an e-mail to all his friends (my bestie included) telling them, because of his career, he was going to closet himself and he hoped everyone would understand and respect his privacy.

I bring this up to sort of celebrate, in some way, one man's personal evolution, as well as the evolution of our culture over the last 20 years. Even with the SH*Tshow happening in Russia, we need to remember how far we've come...and what we can do by speaking out.

[tazber]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 11:18am

^^^
Well said Robbie.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 5:32pm

c'mon, dude's named wentworth.

nice letter though.