Alan Cumming, the Scottish actor, sparked an online discussion when he revealed that he had returned the British Empire’s Most Outstanding Officer (OBE) Medal he received in 2009. January 1, the 58-year-old actor turned to Instagram to send a long message about how he had recently “opened his eyes” to the “poison” of the British Empire.
He declared:
“Fourteen years ago, I was really delighted to be honored on the Queen’s birthday in 2009, as it was given not only for my work as an actor, but for ‘ Activist for equal rights for gays and lesbians in the United States. The states.'”
He continued:
“Thankfully, circumstances and laws in the United States have changed, and the enormous benefit the award brought to the LGBTQ+ movement in 2009 is now less powerful than the apprehensions I felt about being involved. regarding the poison of the empire.”
Alan Cumming, who became a US citizen in 2008, said some of the country’s anti-gay laws were at the time and fought against. The Marriage Protection Act and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which bans openly gay people from serving in the military, are among others on the list.
Alan Cumming’s views changed after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Cumming recalled the message he sent after being awarded the OBE in the same piece. He expressed his “surprise” and “delight” at the award, saying:
“I am extremely excited about the fight for equal rights for the LGBT community in the United States, and I take this honor as motivation to continue fighting for what I feel is right and for what I consider. is natural as a UK citizen. Thank you to the Queen and the individuals on her Birthday Honors List for drawing attention to the US government’s inaction on this matter. I’m happy to be British and energize me as an American.”
However, he said his thinking changed after Queen Elizabeth II’s death, and debates about the British Empire took hold in many discussions.
He continued:
“The death of the Queen and subsequent discussions about the role of the monarchy, particularly how the British Empire benefited at the expense (and carnage) of indigenous peoples across the globe, has really opened my eyes.”
Twitter responds to Alan Cumming’s decision to return OBEs.
After Alan Cumming’s Instagram post about the British Empire’s “poison” went viral, netizens were divided. Some commenters chastised the actor for acting to get attention, including one calling him a “traitor”. Others point out that in order to become a citizen of the United States one must renounce all titles and honors, thus calling the British Empire “poison” is untrue. Others praised Cumming’s brave decision to return the OBE, calling him an “absolute legend”. Cumming told The Hollywood Reporter on January 29 that he did not anticipate such an “international” reaction to his choice and that he was “breaking the internet”.
This lousy Scottish nationalist, Alan Cumming, just handed over his OBE. An insult to our Queen. Perhaps he will also return all the money he was paid by the BBC. From UK license payers. After all, he hates the British! pic.twitter.com/Z8U2679whJ
– Sergeant Shutup (@sergeantsshutup) January 27, 2023
Alan Cumming on why he returned his OBE ✊I agree with him. pic.twitter.com/4xPdIhAGNV
– Joe MacReany (@JMacreany) January 28, 2023
Categories: Biography
Source: vothisaucamau.edu.vn
