US actor and director Kevin Spacey has come under fire for opening up about his sexuality, stating that he is living "as a gay man," in a statement in which he apologised for any "inappropriate drunken behaviour" with a 14-year-old in 1986.
The House of Cards star and former artistic director of London's Old Vic theatre tweeted a statement after actor Anthony Rapp accused the 58-year-old of historical harassment.
In an interview with BuzzFeed, Rapp said Spacey, then aged 26, placed him on a bed and climbed on top of him following a party at his apartment.
Spacey said he is "beyond horrified" by the claim, that he does not remember the alleged incident, "which would have been over 30 years ago. But if I did behave then as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behaviour."
He said the story "has encouraged me to address other things about my life."
In the Twitter post, he added: "I know that there are stories out there about me and that some have been fuelled by the fact that I have been so protective of my privacy."
"As those closest to me know, in my life I have had relationships with both men and women. I have loved and had romantic encounters with men throughout my life, and I choose now to live as a gay man."
However Gay Times editor Josh Rivers was one of a number to criticise Spacey for conflating the allegations against him with his decision to come out.
Rivers said the gay community would not be used as a "shield" to deflect from Spacey's alleged misconduct.
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