A Living Legend: Why Sir Ian McKellen Still Inspires the LGBTQ+ Community

Image credit @ianmckellen Instagram Page

In a world that’s still learning to fully embrace queer voices, few speak louder or more gracefully than Sir Ian McKellen. For many of us, he’s Gandalf, Magneto, or a classically trained Shakespearean giant. But for the LGBTQ+ community, he’s something more: a symbol of courage, longevity, and unapologetic pride.

At 85, McKellen isn’t slowing down. This year, he brought an entire Glastonbury audience to its feet, not with a sword or spell but with words. His surprise performance alongside Scissor Sisters reminded us why his legacy matters just as much today as it did when he first stepped into the spotlight as an activist more than three decades ago.

Let’s take a moment to honor the man behind the magic and why Sir Ian McKellen remains one of the most vital queer voices of our time.

From Actor to Activist

Sir Ian McKellen came out publicly in 1988, live on BBC Radio, in direct response to the UK government’s Section 28 law, legislation that aimed to silence any “promotion” of homosexuality in schools. That moment wasn’t just personal. It was political.

Instead of shrinking from controversy, he leaned in. That same year, McKellen co-founded Stonewall UK, which would go on to lead major campaigns for LGBTQ+ equality, helping to overturn Section 28, equalize the age of consent and ultimately pave the way for marriage equality in the UK.

Since then, he’s used every platform from Hollywood red carpets to classrooms to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, education, and dignity.

“I’m proud of being gay, and I’m proud of being me,” he once said. And that honesty has inspired generations.

The Quiet Power of His Presence

He’s Made Visibility Powerful Long before it was “safe” to be out in the entertainment industry, McKellen showed that you could be both openly gay and wildly successful. He shattered the myth that queer identity was something to hide—and replaced it with pride, brilliance, and grace.

He Bridges Art and Activism Whether he’s delivering Shakespeare or campaigning for equality, McKellen proves that performance and protest can go hand in hand. His career shows that being an artist and being an advocate are not mutually exclusive, they’re often deeply connected.

He Gives Voice to the Elder Queer Community In a youth-focused culture, McKellen reminds us that queerness doesn’t fade with age, it deepens. His presence challenges stereotypes and affirms the lives of older LGBTQ+ individuals, whose stories are too often overlooked.

Glastonbury 2025: A Moment That Stopped Time

At this year’s Glastonbury Festival, McKellen shocked and delighted fans by joining Scissor Sisters on stage to perform the spoken-word portion of their 2010 track “Invisible Light.” His deep, theatrical voice filled the Woodsies tent as he delivered lines about freedom, fear, and queer ecstasy:

“Babylon… Where bricks of mortared diamonds tower… Awake from their slumber… Into the light... The invisible light.”

It wasn’t just nostalgic, it was electric. The crowd erupted. Many in the audience were in tears. For queer fans especially, it felt like something sacred: a living legend returning to remind us that art, music, queerness, and power are beautifully, inseparably entwined.

Watch the performance here / BBC Music YouTube Channel

A Legacy of Light

Sir Ian McKellen isn’t just a famous gay man. He’s a fearless one. He came out when it was risky, spoke up when others stayed silent, and continues to use every stage from the West End to Glastonbury to remind us that LGBTQ+ lives are rich, valid, and worth celebrating.

In a time when queer rights are still under attack in many places, his voice is both a comfort and a call to action.

Whether he's casting spells on screen or speaking truth into a microphone, McKellen’s message is clear: "Come into the light and don’t be afraid to be seen."