Kevin Spacey has been in the spotlight today after it was claimed that he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old boy when Spacey was 26. Anthony Rapp said that the House of Cards actor came to his bedroom, picked him up and laid on top of him. ‘He was trying to seduce me. I don’t know if I would have used that language. But I was aware that he was trying to get with me sexually.’
Spacey has said that he does not recall the event but has apologised for what happened. He said he had ‘a lot of respect and admiration’ for the actor. Adding that he was ‘beyond horrified to hear his story.’ Spacey went on to say that while he doesn’t recall the event, his actions were inappropriate. ‘If I did behave then as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behaviour, and I am sorry for the feelings he describes having carried with him all these years.’
But the drama didn’t end there. Spacey then went on to address claims about his sexuality, having never discussed his private life before in the public domain. ‘As those closest to me know, in my life I have had relationships with both men and women. I have loved and had romantic relationships with men throughout my life, and I choose now to live as a gay man.’
Spacey has been criticised by several members of the LGBT community who were keen to state that this should not be seen as a coming out story but one of survival by the victim. Sarah Ellis an LGBT activist said ‘This is not a coming out story about Kevin Spacey, but a story of survivorship by Anthony Rapp and all those who bravely speak out against unwanted sexual advances. The media and public should not gloss over that.’