Mike and I had the great pleasure of meeting Sir Ian McKellen and staging a photo-op with him in August 2013, on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Russians.
He was performing in Harold Pinter's "No Man's Land" at the Berkeley Rep company, and thanks to iconic gay human rights advocate Peter Tatchell I was put in touch with the celebrated actor and activist.
McKellen agreed to meet us after a performance in the Berkeley Rep courtyard. Along with his former partner and the play's director, Sean Mathias, we four gay men held up a rainbow flag and signs declaring solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Russia.
Our Russian allies greatly appreciated this photographic gesture of support as they faced draconian anit-gay laws and prosecutions, and the image was widely circulated in Russia.
I could say, after the meetup, that I had directed McKellen. Yes, I told him where to stand for the photo-op! LOL.
Thanks for the memory and advocacy, Sir Ian.
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