Alan Cumming: ‘Art is protest - and queer lives are under threat’
From Hollywood glamour to Highland grit, Alan Cumming is returning to his roots with a mission.
– 1 min read
Photo by Frederic Aranda
From Hollywood glamour to Highland grit, Alan Cumming is returning to his roots with a mission. The Scottish-born actor, activist and host of the hit US reality series The Traitors has taken on a new role as Artistic Director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre, pledging to transform the small Highland town into a global cultural stage.
Speaking to Channel 4 News, Cumming described the arts as “a form of protest”, particularly in the face of growing hostility towards LGBTQ+ communities. “Queer and trans people are under threat,” he warned, citing the increasingly toxic political climate in the United States. “It’s terrifying what’s happening - rights we thought were secure are being rolled back.”
Cumming’s concerns are not abstract. He has long used his platform to champion visibility and inclusion, both on stage and screen. As host of The Traitors, he has pushed for greater LGBTQ+ representation, arguing that reality television should reflect the diversity of its audience. “The show is inherently queer,” he said in a recent interview, “and I want that to be celebrated.”
His activism extends beyond entertainment. In Scotland, Cumming is launching Out in the Hills, an LGBTQ+ festival designed to bring queer voices to rural spaces. “Art should challenge, provoke and connect,” he explained. “Especially now, when so many people feel unsafe simply for being who they are.”
Despite his global fame, Cumming remains deeply committed to his roots. “Scotland shaped me,” he said. “It feels right to come back and create something bold here - a theatre that isn’t afraid to speak up.”
As for The Traitors, Cumming admits he never expected the show’s runaway success. “It’s bonkers,” he laughed. “But if I can use that visibility to make people think - about queerness, about kindness, about difference - then that’s a win.”
