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Article: MEET ACTIVIST-ACTOR-KNIGHT MCKELLEN; SOLO SHOW HIGHLIGHTS HIS STRUGGLE.(L.A. LIFE)
- Article from:
- Daily News (Los Angeles, CA)
- Article date:
- May 16, 1997
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1997 Daily News. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Reed Johnson Daily News Staff Writer
In her own inimitable way, Margaret Thatcher may have done as much for gay rights as Ellen DeGeneres. But that hardly makes her an idol to actor Ian McKellen.
During the 11-1/2-year reign of the ultra-conservative ``Iron Lady,'' Britain endured what McKellen describes as an era of homophobia so intense that gay Britons had no choice but to radicalize and fight back.
As a result, McKellen says, London today is the ``gay capital of Europe.'' Gay culture is thriving. Public attitudes have grown steadily more tolerant.
And, following last month's landslide Labor Party victory, McKellen believes ...