82-year-old actress Miriam Margolyes posed nude for British Vogue

Starting June 20, a new British edition of Vogue will hit the shelves, in which the editorial team celebrates diversity, particularly the LGBTQ+ population. Since June is Pride Month, prominent figures from British culture, sports, and the entertainment industry have openly discussed their sexual identity and experiences for Vogue.

For instance, magazine journalists spoke with ‘LGBTQ+ pioneers’ such as the first gay couple to legalize their love in the United Kingdom in 2014, the oldest person who initiated the gender transition process at the age of 82, as well as well-known personalities like Janelle Monae, Ncuti Gatwa, Emma D’Arcy, Bella Ramsey, and Rina Sawayama.

The most striking feature is the interview and editorial with popular British actress Miriam Margolyes, whom the wider public knows as Professor Pomona Sprout from the Harry Potter film series.

Bold Margolyes

In a brilliant photo editorial by Tim Walker, Margolyes poses completely nude, surrounded by typical British iced biscuits, which is quite a departure from her comfort zone, as well as Vogue’s. The actress also spoke about her own sexuality and the fact that she came out of the closet in 1966 when homosexuality was illegal in the United Kingdom.

As she told Vogue, she has never been ashamed of being gay nor has she considered it a crime, because she simply is not a criminal. However, while she accepted her identity, her parents did not, and they asked her to swear on the Torah that she would stop sleeping with women. She considers the gay population to be lucky because they are not conventional and would not want to be straight for anything in the world.

Moreover, the decision to feature Margolyes as the face of the issue dedicated to ‘love and pride’ was made by Edward Enninful, who announced earlier this month that he is stepping down as editor-in-chief of British Vogue. During his six years at the magazine, Enninful made a series of truly revolutionary moves, making the publication more inclusive and daring. For example, in October 2022, the cover featured a man for the first time, young actor Timothee Chalamet.

In June 2020, British actress Judi Dench was the oldest ‘cover’ star of Vogue at 85, and the audience appreciated the decision to feature actress Selma Blair, who is battling multiple sclerosis, and 21-year-old model with Down syndrome, Ellie Goldstein.