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Sir Ian McKellen endorses Ed Miliband's commitment to LGBT rights

The actor is the second Lord of the Rights cast member to back Labour

Jenn Selby
Wednesday 22 April 2015 10:53 EDT
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Sir Ian McKellen
Sir Ian McKellen (Getty Images)

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First Bilbo Baggins declared himself Team Miliband, now the crush-inducing Labour leader can count Gandalf the Grey among his surprise endorsees ahead of the election on 7 May.

Sir Ian McKellen has praised the party's commitment to LGBT rights, following the manifesto launch in Brighton on Tuesday.

Strengthening laws to tackle hate crimes, appointing an LGBT rights envoy and reforming the system for gay asylum seekers are all among the promises.

Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf in the film adaptation of JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings trilogy
Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf in the film adaptation of JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings trilogy

“I am impressed by the aims and commitments of Labour’s manifesto for LGBT people, particularly the appointment of Michael Cashman as an international LGBT Rights Envoy,” the actor said.

Cashman is a long-time friend of Sir Ian's, and is the co-founder of leading LGBT rights charity Stonewall.

“Such initiatives cost little, yet help make the world a better safer place for us all.”


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