Scottish actor Alan Cumming arrived at the BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday evening with pink, white, and blue ribbons in his hair representing the colours of the transgender pride flag. The 61 year old, born in Aberfeldy and known internationally for his role as Nightcrawler in the X-Men films, was hosting the ceremony at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
Cumming has been consistently outspoken on transgender rights. Last year, while guest hosting the Jimmy Kimmel Show, he challenged the notion that trans people represent a threat in public spaces, calling it “utter nonsense” and asking the audience: “Why on Earth would a rapist go to the bother of pretending to be trans in a country that actually treats rapists better than trans people?”
During the broadcast, Cumming also addressed viewers after a racial slur was shouted from the audience. The outburst came from John Davidson, a Tourette’s campaigner who was attending to celebrate the BAFTA nominated film I Swear, based on his life experience with the condition. Cumming handled the situation with characteristic composure.
“You may have heard some strong and offensive language tonight,” he told viewers. “Tourette syndrome is a disability and the tics you have heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette syndrome has no control over their language. We apologise if you were offended.”
The BBC also issued an apology for the language broadcast, confirming it arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome. Cumming’s decision to wear the pride flag colours was a quiet but visible act of solidarity at a moment when transgender rights remain fiercely debated across British public life. He has never been one to shy away from taking a position, and at 61, he shows no sign of starting.