Arts & Entertainment
Sir Ian McKellen says Oscars discriminate against gay people
the British actor spoke out about LGBT diversity in film
(Photo via Themightyquill at Wikimedia Commons)
Sir Ian McKellen agrees that the Oscars have a lack of racial diversity but thinks gay people are also being ignored.
The 76-year-old out actor spoke with Sky News on Monday about the disparities in recognition from the Academy if people are not white, straight males in the industry.
‘The Oscars have a very special place in the lives of American actors, even more so than here,’ McKellen told Sky News. “As a representative of the industry they are in, the film industry is receiving complaints that I fully sympathize with.”
“It’s not only black people who have been disregarded by the film industry, it used to be women and certainly gay people to this day. These are all legitimate complaints, and the Oscars is the focus of these complaints at the moment,” McKellen continued to Sky News.
The 2016 Oscar nominations sparked outrage on social media with the hashtag “#OscarsSoWhite” trending after notable actors, actresses and filmmakers were left out of the running who were not caucasian. LGBT films such as “Tangerine” and directors such as Andrew Haigh were also snubbed.
McKellen has been nominated for two Oscars, one for “Lord of the Rings” as Gandalf and another for the lead role in “Gods and Monsters.”
The Capital Pride Alliance presented the 2026 Capital Pride Honors at “The Audacity Brunch: In Full Fuchsia” at the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. on Sunday, June 7.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
Out & About
Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
Daylong Pride celebration blends history, remembrance, art and community
Historic Congressional Cemetery will host the second annual “Gays & Graves: A Big Gay Festival” on Sunday, June 14 at 11 a.m.
The event will feature pioneering activist Randy Wicker, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, and new public art installations and programs celebrating LGBTQ+ history. Gays & Graves is an official partner event of Capital Pride 2026.
This event is a daylong Pride celebration blending history, remembrance, art and community. Visitors can shop from LGBTQ+ and allied artists and makers, experience performances and interactive installations, and engage with programs exploring LGBTQ+ history and lived experience.
For more details, visit the cemetery’s website.
Baltimore Pride is underway, taking place from June 8-14.
The Pride Parade will be on Saturday, June 13 at 12 p.m. at Charles Street & North Avenue, followed by the Pride Block Party at 1 p.m. at Druid Hill Park. And then the Pride Festival will be held on Sunday, June 14 at 12 p.m. at Druid Hill Park.
There will be an array of additional events including: a fashion show, a “Suits and Sneakers” reception and a 5k race, among many other events.
For more details, visit Baltimore Pride’s website.
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