Sir Ian McKellen to be awarded Freedom of the City of London this month
Gay actor Sir Ian McKellen will be honoured with Freedom of the City of London later this month.
The X-Men and Vicious star is a co-founder of LGB rights group Stonewall, and the patron of several other rights groups and charities, including LGBT History Month, Pride in London, and The Albert Kennedy Trust.
The Lord Mayor Fiona Woolf first revealed McKellen would receive the honour at a Pride in London gala dinner in July – and it has now been been formally announced, with a ceremony set to take place on October 30.
At the ceremony, McKellen will recite the Declaration of a Freeman, before he is awarded with the honour.
Lord Mayor Fiona Woolf said: “It was a privilege to meet Sir Ian at The Mansion House in June this year, when he was guest of honour at the Pride in London Gala Dinner and it was a particular pleasure to announce to the guests, many of whom admire his acting and campaigning work, that he would receive the Freedom of the City of London.
“My colleagues and I will be delighted to host his ceremony at Guildhall.
“Sir Ian is an exceptional actor of international acclaim, whose repertoire ranges from Shakespeare and Pinter to Hollywood blockbusters and situation comedy.
“He is also a tireless campaigner for equality, for which I have the greatest admiration, so it is entirely appropriate that we honour his achievements.”
