Actor Wentworth Miller Declines Russian Invitation by Coming Out

photo courtesy of fanpop.com

Wentworth Miller, who plays Michael Scofield on Fox’s Prison Break responded to an invitation to the St. Petersburg International Film Festival today with this: “… “as a gay man, I must decline.”

The entire letter, published by Glaad.org follows:

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

 

Wow! What a fantastic gesture…. a powerful message of support the LGBT community that is being brutalized and discriminated against in Russia. Bravo to Mr. Miller. I am a new found fan!