Wentworth Miller, the actor best known for his starring role in Prison Break, has come out as gay. The 41-year-old revealed his sexuality in response to an invitation from St. Petersburg Annual Film Festival. Miller penned an open letter, which can be viewed on GLAAD, to the film festival's organiser Maria Averbakh. Miller has declined the invitation as a means of protesting the Russian government's recent laws.

Wentworth Miller
Wentworth Miller has revealed he is gay.

These include the prohibiting of same-sex couples were adopting a child and a ban on pro LGBT propaganda. As a result of such persecution, there has been a rise in anti-LGBT violence. 

Miller declined the invitation as a means of protesting the current attitudes in Russia to gay men and women. The latest incident concerns a journalist coming out on Russian television and being sacked as a result. Miller wrote: "as someone who has enjoyed visiting Russia in the past and can also claim a degree of Russian ancestry, it would make me happy to say yes [to the invitation]. However, as a gay man, I must decline."

Wentworth Miller
Wentworth Miller at a Fox event in 2007.

On the subject of the treated of gay men and women in Russia, Miller stated "the situation is in no way acceptable, and I cannot in good conscience participate in a celebratory occasion hosted by a country where people like myself are being systematically denied their basic right to live and love openly."

GLAAD (the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) have supported and praised Miller's decision. Wilson Cruz, a spokesperson for the organisation, said "Wentworth's bold show of support sends a powerful message to LGBT Russians, who are facing extreme violence and persecution: you are not alone." Cruz continued by hoping Miller's decision will encourage others to "speak out against Russia's horrific law."

Wentworth Miller
Wentworth Miller in 2007.