"Prison Break" star Wentworth Miller has taken a personal stand against Russia's anti-gay laws by making a bold statement: "As a gay man, I must decline."
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the British actor officially came out as gay on Tuesday with a letter he wrote rejecting an offer to appear at the St. Petersburg International Film Festival. In the letter written to festival director Maria Averbakh, Miller cited Russia's recent laws cracking down on gay, lesbian and transgendered individuals as the reason why he refused the invite.
"As someone who has enjoyed visiting Russia in the past and can also claim a degree of Russian ancestry, it would make me happy to say yes. However, as a gay man, I must decline," Miller wrote.
"I am deeply troubled by the current attitude toward and treatment of gay men and women by the Russian government," Miller continued. "The situation is in no way acceptable, and I cannot in good conscience participate in a celebratory occasion hosted by a country where people like myself are being systematically denied their basic right to live and love openly."
Miller is citing recent legislation signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin that bans the promotion of gay, lesbian or bisexual messages from gay activist groups, fearing the "indoctrination" of children to the gay lifestyle. The laws, which went into effect July 3, also makes foreign tourists who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender subject to arrest.
The laws have elicited outrage from the international community as well as Hollywood. They have also caused many to demand that the 2014 Winter Olympics, which are to take place in Russia, be moved to a different country. Many are worried that LGBT travelers to the olympics could be put under arrest.
Miller starred in Fox hit "Prison Break" from 2005 to 2009. While there was speculation that he was gay, he did not speak about his sexual orientation until the letter was published.
The complete letter was posted on the LGBT activist group GLAAD's website:
"Dear Ms. Averbakh:
Thank you for your kind invitation. As someone who has enjoyed visiting Russia in the past and can also claim a degree of Russian ancestry, it would make me happy to say yes.
However, as a gay man, I must decline.
I am deeply troubled by the current attitude toward and treatment of gay men and women by the Russian government. The situation is in no way acceptable, and I cannot in good conscience participate in a celebratory occasion hosted by a country where people like myself are being systematically denied their basic right to live and love openly.
Perhaps, when and if circumstances improve, I'll be free to make a different choice. Until then."
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