Actor Lee Pace Is Now Owning His Queer Identity After Initially Calling It ‘Intrusive’
Last week, 38-year-old American actor Lee Pace kind of came out when a W magazine interviewer asked about his sexual orientation. While stating that he has dated men and women, Pace responded, “I find your question intrusive.” It was a weird response for an actor who in the same interview discussed the importance of his starring in gay stage plays. But now, Pace has called himself “a member of the queer community,” finally owning up to his initial Lee Pace coming out comment rather than brushing it off as a rude detail.
Pace came out in the original W magazine interview thus:
Pace added that he feels it’s important for gay actors to play the gay roles in both plays, but stopped short of labeling himself. He seemed a bit flustered and surprised by the question. “I’ve dated men. I’ve dated women,” he explained. “I don’t know why anyone would care. I’m an actor and I play roles. To be honest, I don’t know what to say — I find your question intrusive.”
Did he find the question as intrusive as this gay kiss he once shared onscreen?
However, in two tweets published this morning, Pace wrote:
In a recent phone interview, I was asked questions that I wasn’t expecting and found myself momentarily at a loss for the right words. My privacy is important to me, so I protect it. When interviewed by the media, I keep the focus on my work.
As a member of the queer community, I understand the importance of living openly, being counted, and happily owning who I am. That’s how I’ve always lived my life… just as it’s been important to me to portray queer characters with dignity for my entire career: A Soldier’s Girl (Showtime. 2003). The Normal Heart (Broadway. 2011). Halt and Catch Fire (AMC. 2014-2017). Angels in America. (Broadway. NOW.) Onward, with Pride.
As a member of the queer community, I understand the importance of living openly, being counted, and happily owning who I am. That’s how I’ve always lived my life…
— Lee Pace (@leepace) March 5, 2018
…just as it's been important to me to portray queer characters with dignity for my entire career: A Soldier's Girl (Showtime. 2003). The Normal Heart (Broadway. 2011). Halt and Catch Fire (AMC. 2014-2017). Angels in America. (Broadway. NOW.)
Onward, with Pride.— Lee Pace (@leepace) March 5, 2018
Pace has played bisexual genius Joe McMillan in the AMC drama series Halt and Catch Fire, has starred in the Larry Kramer HIV-centered stage play The Normal Heart, and plays closeted Republican Mormon Joe Pitt in the Broadway production of the two-part Tony Kushner gay fantasia Angels in America.
His visibility and playing of gay and bi roles makes his being open about his sexuality especially important.
