Actor Ian McKellen has been drawing criticism for comments he made about sexual abuse allegations against Kevin Spacey and Bryan Singer.
In a live podcast over the weekend, he suggested the abuse happened because the two men are uneasy about their sexuality.
McKellen has now tweeted that his comments were “clumsily expressed.”
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He says it’s wrong for him — or anyone — to hint that being closeted is related in any way to abuse. McKellen says he’s sorry and didn’t mean to “trivialize or condone abuse of any kind.”
“As part of an extended podcast recently, I suggest that if closeted people were instead open about their sexuality they wouldn’t abuse others,” McKellen wrote.
“That, of course, is wrong. My intention was to encourage the LGBT audience I was addressing to be proud and open about their sexuality. In doing so, my point was clumsily expressed,” he wrote.
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McKellen continued: “I would never, ever trivialize or condone abuse of any kind. I deeply regret my careless remarks and apologise unreservedly for any distress I caused. When it comes to abuse by people in positions of power, the correct response is clear.”
“The accusers must be heard and the accused given the opportunity to clear their names. If the accusations prove credible, the abuser’s access to power should be removed,” he concluded.
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When McKellen joined the live recording of the #QueerAF podcast last week, he was asked about the multitude of sexual misconduct allegations against Singer and Spacey.
McKellen said: “With the couple of names you mentioned of people I worked with, both of them were in the closet. Hence all their problems as people and their relationship with other people. If they had been able to be open about themselves and their desires, they wouldn’t have started abusing people in the way they’re being accused.”
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He went on to say that those who have been accused should not be forced to cease working due to the allegations.
“I think that’s rather up to the public. Do you want to see someone who’s been accused of something that you don’t approve of? Do you ever want to see them again? If the answer is no, you won’t buy a ticket, you won’t turn on the television,” he said. “But there may be others for whom that’s not a consideration. It’s difficult to be absolutely black and white.”
Several men accused Singer, 53, of sexual abuse against minors in a report released in January.
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Spacey, 59, is accused of groping an 18-year-old man at a bar in Nantucket in 2016. The actor pleaded not guilty to sexual assault in January. Spacey has also been accused of sexual misconduct by several others.
Both Spacey and Singer have denied wrongdoing in relation to the allegations.
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse or is involved in an abusive situation, please visit the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime for help. They are also reachable toll-free at 1-877-232-2610.
— With files from the Associated Press
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