Kevin Spacey accused of conflating gay sexuality with apology for unwanted advance on 14-year-old Anthony Rapp

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Kevin Spacey's decision to come out as gay as part of his apology to Star Trek: Discovery actor Anthony Rapp has been criticised for, according to several prominent Hollywood figures, implying causation with being closeted and behaving inappropriately with a minor.

Rapp alleges that Spacey climbed on top of him at a party when Spacey was 26 and Rapp was 14.

"I honestly do not remember the encounter, it would have been over 30 years ago,” Spacey said in a tweeted statement Monday. "But if I did behave then as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior, and I am sorry for the feelings he describes having carried with him all these years."

Spacey went on to confirm one of Hollywood's worst kept secrets, that he is, in fact, gay.

"This story has encouraged me to address other things about my life." he continued.

"I have loved and had romantic encounters with men throughout my life, and I choose now to live as a gay man.

"I want to deal with this honestly and openly and that starts with examining my own behavior."

Billy Eichner, Rose McGowan and Dan Savage were all critical of the statement, with Cameron Esposito adding: "Just wanna be really fucking clear that being gay has nothing to do w/ going after underage folks."