Lee Pace's New Relationship Encouraged His Decision to Come Out as Gay

Lee Pace came out as gay earlier this year and he’s opening up about what influenced his decision to talk about his sexuality publicly for the first time.

The 39-year-old actor is currently starring on Broadway in the play Angels in America and he was asked about his sexuality in an interview with W Magazine in March. He reluctantly said he has dated both men and women, but said he found the question to be intrusive. Lee later took to Twitter to clarify his quote and confirm he happily owns being a “member of the queer community.”

In a new interview with The New York Times, Lee says the W Magazine article gave him an “opportunity to participate” and that two things influenced his decision to seek out that opportunity.

One is a new relationship with a fashion executive, but he didn’t reveal who the lucky guy is. Lee‘s friend Judy Greer says, “I’ve never seen Lee so happy.”

The other reason is Lee‘s Angels in America character Joe Pitt, whose coming out journey is explored in the play.