Alan Cumming has returned the Order of the British Empire (OBE) he received in 2009 as part of the Queen’s birthday honors list. The X-Men actor stated that while he had previously been “grateful,” his eyes have now been “opened” to “the toxicity of empire.”
Cumming, who also hosts the American version of The Traitors, stated that he received the OBE not only for his acting but also for his “activism for equal rights for the homosexual and lesbian population in the United States.”
He continued,
“Thankfully, times and legislation in the United States have changed.”
The Scottish actor, writer, and presenter explained that he was returning the medal on his 58th birthday since he “recently did it for me.”
The Defense of Marriage Act and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell prevented openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual people from serving in the military in the United States in 2009, he noted. Both of these regulations were enacted by the Clinton administration.
“The fight for equality for the LGBT population in the United States is something I am very passionate about, and I see this honor as an encouragement to continue fighting for what I believe is right and for what I take for granted as a UK citizen,” he stated upon receiving an OBE.
However, Cumming stated that 14 years later, the death of the Queen and the accompanying discussions over the role of the monarchy and the manner in which the British Empire profited at the expense (and murder) of indigenous peoples all over the world opened his eyes.
He said, “Also, luckily, events and laws in the United States have changed, and the immense benefit the award brought to the LGBTQ+ cause in 2009 is now less effective than the qualms I have regarding the toxicity of empire.
Officer of the Order of the British Empire is what OBE stands for.
“Therefore, I returned my award, explained my reasoning, and expressed my deep appreciation for receiving it in the first place. I am currently back to being simply Alan Cumming. Best wishes for my birthday!
He stated in 2019 that he was proud to have played Dr. Dylan Reinhart in Instinct, the first network drama on US television to include a gay protagonist character. Instinct airs on Sky Witness in the UK.
At the time, Cumming wrote on Instagram that he was delighted to have been a part of a production in which “millions of people will have watched a same-sex marriage depicted for the first time.”
The actor’s roles on stage and TV have included the BBC comedy The High Life and Hamlet for the English Touring Theatre, as well as the Good Wife and a Broadway adaptation of Cabaret in the United States.
Cumming, who holds both British and American citizenship, recently co-hosted a travel show on Channel 4 with his actor buddy Miriam Margolyes.
In 2015, the Open University awarded him an honorary degree for his contributions to education and culture.
Also Read: Simon Sinek Motivating Speech On Wife, Relationship
