Wentworth Miller covers the December issue of Out magazine, which is also their “Out 100” issue. Wentworth is featured as “newsmaker of the year” because he made waves in August by coming out in a letter to organizers of the St. Petersberg film festival. He famously declined to attend the festival because of Russia’s new anti-LGBT legislation, and now Out is celebrating him. This is an amazing feat for Wentworth, who became suicidal at the age of 15 and — despite trying to end his life several times — lived to tell the tale. He talks to Out about his struggles coming out. He gives some inspiring advice in this excerpt:
“I remember carrying around deep feelings of shame after I tried to kill myself, feeling like I’d stumbled or failed life’s exam. That I was now ‘damaged goods.’ What I would say to that younger self — what I’d say to anyone who’s walked a similar road — is to focus less on the fact that you nearly ended your life and more on the fact that you survived, that you lived to tell the tale. And then tell it.
“I’d say, ‘What you think of as scars are medals. They’re badges of honor, testifying to something inside you that is determined and tenacious and enduring.'”
[From Out.com]
Wentworth seems like a very strong person now who has gathered some amazing perspective on his teenage ordeals. I love how he says, “focus on the fact that you survived, that you lived to tell the tale. And then tell it.” Those are incredibly powerful words.
Out will feature several alternative December covers, including ones for Lee Daniels, Edie Winsor, and … Jim Parsons! Jim is adorable even if The Big Bang Theory is a fairly monotonous and one-note show.
Photos courtesy of Out magazine
Oh this made me teary.I love Wentworth and I want to cuddle with him and soothe him.
He’s a beautiful man. His struggles, what he has overcome, and his bravery in speaking out about it all make him that much more depth-full and that much more beautiful.
I wish him joy and peace in his life.
Nicely said. I agree wholeheartedly.
I agree, Frida.
I didn’t watch Prison Break, but based on what he has written in recent months I would LOVE to hear more from him. He writes so eloquently. His words have really moved me, I hope many more people get to read them.
I wonder how much pressure he felt from the press that was trying to out him. Bloggers like Perez Hilton and Ted C. are nothing but bullies. It must be rough to have to deal with that constant fear of being outed.
Oh wow, I really love him. I’ve never attempted suicide but severe depression in the past has made me feel the same way – that I was weak and failing life’s exam. That resonated with me and I hope it will with other people too.
Slightly off-topic-
How dangerous is it for gay Americans to travel to Russia? Is there a great amount of violence towards homosexuals? Could Americans be jailed for breaking their homosexuality laws?
I think dangerous for anyone, especially if you are open about it. They might deport you quicker than jailing you I bet depending on where you are from.
I just read @towleroad that a newspaper in Russia is in trouble for doing a story on a Fired Gay Teacher.They are not supposed to mention anything “Gay” related.
Have to mention ‘Stoker’ was a great movie.
Mr. Miller you are very talented, your gifts are appreciated and example inspired. Cheers!
+1 it was very good and beautifully shot/ styled.
+2 I loved it too! This is how gothic should be done – a slow buildup with painterly images.
What he says resonates so deeply. It’s a dark fucking place. I’m still trying to crawl my way out even after 14 years but I try to help others as much as I can at local shelters and hot lines. We’re not alone. We’re not damaged. We’ve just been hurt and sometimes, all you want is someone to listen.
Proud of you, MonicaQ.
He is incredibly well spoken, his acting talents come through when he speaks.
Also, no one does scary/sexy brooding the way he does. Stare at me, Wenty baby!
It takes a lot of guts to talk about all this publicly. I hope him sharing his struggles helps others going through the same thing.
I don’t much about him, but what a great man he seems to be. Wish him nothing but the best! PS: I still refuse to believe he’s 41. Just, no way. Nope.
What a beautiful person, inside and out. My heart goes out to him and anyone else struggling with their sexual orientation. Progress has been made but there is still a long way to go.
Wentworth is usually very good looking,but that first picture is weird and creepy.
As a woman who as struggled with severe bouts of major depression for 15 years, I commend him for talking about it!! People have no idea what it’s like, and he’s a hero for even acknowleding it it. He’s very brave.
If you think Big Bang is a one note show, then you don’t watch.
well, I don’t know. For me it was mostly like I can’t even kill myself properly, not the shame of what I did, but that I didn’t do it right. Yes it is weird to be around people who know what happened back then, but the shame wasn’t because of them. I guess that’s the difference between us. I was one hundred percent sure I wanted it, maybe he wasn’t.
He is a hottie 🙂 loved ‘prison break’ 🙂