Sir Ian McKellen.

The Gay Times Honour for Lifetime Achievement

Since coming out in 1988, Sir Ian McKellen has become a pioneer of the queer movement that helped see the removal of criminal laws and discriminatory societal attitudes. A prominent actor, public figure and continuing activist, he was knighted in the 1991 New Year Honours for services to the performing arts. Awarded the Freedom of the City of London in October 2014, the soon-to-be 80 year old has helped shape the lives of millions of queer people today.