Out and proud British actor Sir Ian McKellen has been chosen to receive his second honor by the Queen for services to acting and championing the causes of diversity.

Sir Ian - who's probably best known for his role as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings movies - speaks about his happiness of becoming a Companion of Honour:

"I am honoured to join an Order which includes such distinguished practitioners in the arts.

"It is particularly pleasing that 'equality' is included in my citation," he said in a recent interview.

Sir Ian outed himself publicly in 1988 during a discussion on BBC radio about the Thatcher government's Section 28 legislation which banned schools in England and Wales from "promoting" homosexuality. He is a founding member of the gay rights organisation Stonewall and during a visit to Singapore recently, he stepped into a debate about decriminalising homosexual activity in the country.

He was awarded a knighthood in 1990 and describes himself as "one of the very few openly gay knights". He has earned two Oscar nominations, one for Lord of the Rings in 2002, and one for Gods and Monsters in 1999.

Last update: 01-01-2008 12:50