Alan Cumming Returns OBE Given to Him in 2009, Citing ‘the Toxicity of Empire’

Alan Cumming, 58, recently celebrated his birthday and, in a lengthy Instagram post, detailed something big he recently did for himself – something not too many people do. The actor and activist returned his OBE, which he received from the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2009 as part of her birthday honours list. 

“Fourteen years ago, I was incredibly grateful to receive it in the 2009 Queen’s birthday honours list, for it was awarded not just for my job as an actor but ‘for activism for equal rights for the gay and lesbian community, USA,’” said Cumming in his caption, sharing a photo of himself today and one from 2009. 

OBE stands for ‘Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire’ and is the second-highest award given by the Order of the British Empire – behind CBE and ahead of MBE. Other notable celebrities to receive an OBE include J.K. Rowling, David Beckham, Kiera Knightley, James Corden, and more.

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In the Instagram post, Alan Cumming talked about his decision and why his stance on the award has changed in recent years. He talked about how, back then, the Defence of Marriage Act and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policies helped ensure same-sex couples and the LGBTQ+ community were treated equally.

At the time, he had expressed how ‘shocked’ and ‘delighted’ he was to receive the award – mostly for his activism. “The fight for equality for the LGBT community in the US is something I am very passionate about, and I see this honour as encouragement to go on fighting for what I believe is right,” he said.

Cumming then went on to explain how the “Queen’s death and the ensuing conversations about the role of monarchy and especially the way the British Empire profited at the expense (and death) of indigenous peoples across the world really opened my eyes.” He also alluded to the changing of times and laws. 

“The great good the award brought to the LGBTQ+ cause back in 2009 is now less potent than the misgivings I have being associated with the toxicity of empire,” he said, adding he ‘explained my reasons and reiterated my great gratitude for being given it in the first place.’ Now, he’s just Alan Cumming again.

Alan Cumming Hosts American Version of ‘The Traitors’

On January 12, the first season of The Traitors,’ an American reality TV show based on the Dutch series, De Verraders, was released on Peacock – the season consists of 10 episodes, all of which are available to stream today. The other versions of the show have been a huge hit in the UK, but now are in the US. 

The show consists of 20 contestants (at the start) that are split up between ‘Faithfuls’ and ‘Traitors’ – selected by the host. Contestants must work together to build up a pot for a chance at $250,000, but they must be careful because the ‘Traitors’ will eliminate a ‘Faithful’ each night – slimming the competition.

It’s the ultimate game of strategy, deception, and trust as the ‘Faithfuls’ try to outlast the ‘Traitors’ for the prize money. The first season was about as dramatic as you would expect, consisting of 10 people from normal walks of life and 10 others with experience in the reality TV world. It’s worth a quick binge. 

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“When they asked me to do it, I was like, “What?” And they sent me the Dutch one. I watched it. I was obsessed with that. I had a talk with them and I said to them, “Oh, you want me to do this like a James Bond villain?” And they were like, “Yes.” That was really exciting to me,” said Cumming to Variety.