Prison Break’s Wentworth Miller revealed he’s gay by speaking against homophobic Russian laws

Wentworth Miller, who made millions of viewers swoon when he starred on Prison Break, publicly revealed he is gay by issuing an open letter to the director of the St. Petersburg International Film Festival.

“Thank you for your kind invitation. As someone who has enjoyed visiting Russia in the past and can also claim a degree of Russian ancestry, it would make me happy to say yes. However, as a gay man, I must decline.”

Wentworth previously said he wasn’t gay, but didn’t mind the speculation. However, he finally opted to make revelation for a good reason. New Russian laws have been called into question as many claim they are highly discriminatory against the LGBT community. Specifically, President Vladimir Putin signed a bill last month that categorically bans “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations around minors.”

Since then, protests in Russia have turned violent. Outside of country, many have begun boycotting Russian products. Upcoming international events have also been caught in the midst of the controversy: Some athletes are calling for an American boycott of the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Bravo’s Andy Cohen also declined to invitation to host the Miss Universe Pageant, which will be held in Moscow, because he doesn’t “feel right as a gay man stepping foot into Russia.”

Now Wentworth Miller is adding his voice to the anti-Russian policy chorus.

“I am deeply troubled by the current attitude toward and treatment of gay men and women by the Russian government,” he said. “The situation is in no way acceptable, and I cannot in good conscience participate in a celebratory occasion hosted by a country where people like myself are being systematically denied their basic right to live and love openly.”

Since Prison Break ended in 2009, Wentworth took a step back from acting. However, Stoker, a screenplay he wrote under a pseudonym, has been widely praised. It was likely for the film that Wentworth was invited to attend the St. Petersburg International Film Festival.

Personally, I’ve always thought Wentworth was a total hunk, so I was initially a little disappointed to learn the love could never be reciprocated. However, I am thrilled he is standing up for such a good cause… And, in that way, I like him even more now!