Alan Cumming returns OBE in protest at British Empire ‘toxicity’
London: Actor Alan Cumming, a star of James Bond and X-Men films, has returned the OBE awarded to him as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honors Roll, saying his eyes were in the face of the “toxicity” of the British Empire been opened.
Cumming, who turned 58 on Friday, said he was incredibly grateful to be awarded the Order of the British Empire in 2009 for his contribution to the arts and advocacy for equality in the gay and lesbian community, particularly in the United States was awarded.
Actor Alan Cumming has returned his Order of the British Empire.
The Scottish-born actor’s four-decade film, television and theater career has included starring roles in annie, X Men 2, Gold eyethe spy kids franchises and The good wife. Since 2000 he has lived in New York, where he currently hosts the US version of The traitorsand said his feelings about the award had changed.
Cumming said the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September made him reflect on the honor he had received and the institution it bestowed on him.
“Fourteen years ago, I was incredibly grateful to receive it on the Queen’s Birthday Honors 2009, for it was not only awarded for my work as an actor, but “for activism for equality in the gay and lesbian community in the United States “.
“At the time, the Defense of Marriage Act ensured that same-sex couples could not marry or enjoy the same basic legal rights as straight people, and ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ ensured that openly gay, lesbian or bisexual became so.” People have been banned from military service,” he wrote on Instagram.
“[But] The conversations that followed about the role of the monarchy and in particular the way the British Empire benefited at the expense (and death) of tribal peoples around the world really opened my eyes.”
His decision comes amid a growing backlash against the monarchy over its role in British imperial history, particularly in the Caribbean, where Barbados became the first country to vote for independence from the Crown in almost 20 years in 2021.
The prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda also announced plans in September to hold a referendum on whether King Charles III. to be removed as head of state.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/alan-cumming-returns-obe-in-protest-at-british-empire-s-toxicity-20230128-p5cg42.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_world Alan Cumming returns OBE in protest at British Empire ‘toxicity’
