Ian McKellen urges young gay actors to stop hiding: “By the time I came out, I was in my late 40s and I was fed up with worrying about what other people thought, and confident enough in my career to suspect that it wasn’t going to make any difference at all. I was absolutely wrong. I became a better actor, and my film career took off in a way that I couldn’t have expected. You can’t lie about something so central to yourself without harming yourself. Acting in my case is no longer about disguise – it’s about telling the truth, and my truth is that I’m gay. I’m very happy for people to know that, and then I can get on with telling the truth about the character that I’m playing. That’s why I can say to other actors: if you really want to be a good actor and a successful one, and you’re gay, let everybody know about it.”

Australian MP Mark Brindal, who said he is quitting politics after his gay affair was revealed, is saying he may have been “set up” by someone. Allegations of the existence of damaging photos shocked the politician. If he did [take photos], it was without my knowledge or consent. If anyone else took them, that would be a gross invasion of privacy, and one would have to ask who took them, and for what purpose.”