Star Trek actor Zachary Quinto is feeling grateful to his fans for their support after he ‘came out’ as gay recently.
In an interview with New York Magazine in which the movie star spoke publicly about his sexuality for the first time, Quinto thanked fans for their “outpouring of support and resonance”
Quinto, who played Spock in the recent “reboot” of the movie franchise, referred to himself as a “gay man” in the interview, confirming long-running speculation over his sexuality.
In a subsequent post on his website, he opened up about his decision to talk about his sexuality, revealing he made the catalyst was the suicide of bullied gay teenager Jamey Rodemeyer last month. Quinto said he felt “indescribable despair” over the tragedy.
Quinto wrote: “It became clear to me in an instant that living a gay life without publicly acknowledging it is simply not enough to make any significant contribution to the immense work that lies ahead on the road to complete equality.
“Our society needs to recognise the unstoppable momentum toward unequivocal civil equality for every gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered citizen of this country.
“Gay kids need to stop killing themselves because they are made to feel worthless by cruel and relentless bullying. Parents need to teach their children principles of respect and acceptance.
“Jamey Rodemeyer’s life changed mine, and while his death only makes me wish that I had done this sooner, I am eternally grateful to him for being the catalyst for change within me. Now I can only hope to serve as the same catalyst for even one other person in this world.”
Quinto has been inundated with messages from his fans, and expressed that he is overwhelmed by their moving words.
In a post on his Twitter page, he wrote, “I have spent the day in awe of this outpouring of support and resonance. We. Are. In. This. Together. Never forget! I am deeply moved.”
Gay singer Ricky Martin has applauded Quinto’s decision to ‘come out’, adding, “Congratulations! What an important step! Much peace!”
