Patrick Stewart laughs off mistakenly being outed by The Guardian
Sir Patrick Stewart has laughed off an error by the Guardian newspaper which stated he was gay.
The Star Trek and X-Men actor was described as gay in an article about actress Ellen Page’s recent coming out by DIVA editor Jane Czyzselska.
It originally said: “Some gay people, such as Sir Patrick Stewart, think Page’s coming out speech is newsworthy because a high-profile and surprisingly politically aware young actress has decided not to play by the rules that so many closeted Hollywood actors are advised to follow if they are to enjoy mainstream success”.
The Guardian subsequently apologised with a correction saying: “This article was amended on 17 February 2014. The third paragraph originally said ‘Some gay people, such as Sir Patrick Stewart, think Page’s coming out speech is newsworthy’. This should have read ‘Some people, such as Sir Patrick Stewart, think Page’s coming out speech is newsworthy’.”
Sir Patrick, who had earlier tweeted his support for Page, later joked about the article on Twitter after it was pointed out to him, saying: “But @guardian I have, like, five or even SEVEN hetero friends and we totally drink beer and eat lots of chicken wings!”
.@Poynter But @guardian I have, like, five or even SEVEN hetero friends and we totally drink beer and eat lots of chicken wings!
— Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) February 18, 2014
He added: “Well, @guardian it makes for a nice change… at least I didn’t wake up to the internet telling me I was dead again.”
Fellow Star Trek legend William Shatner also joined in with the banter on Twitter, saying he was “jealous” of the coverage, and then adding a smile.
Sir Patrick, who recently married American jazz singer Sunny Ozell, has long been a supporter of LGBT rights and equal marriage.
Sir Ian McKellen, a close friend of Sir Patrick, revealed last year that he would officiate at the ceremony.
