Buzz·Posted on 31 Aug 2015Ian McKellen Went To Manchester Pride And Partied Like Only Ian McKellen CanThou shall not pass...without a big gay hug.by Declan CashinBuzzFeed News Reporter, UKLinkFacebookPinterestTwitterMail Sir Ian McKellen - Lord Of The Rings legend, gay rights activist, BFF of Sir Patrick Stewart, and potential Taylor Swift squad member - was the Grand Marshal at Manchester Pride over the Bank Holiday weekend. View this photo on Instagram And, boy, did Sir Ian have fun, as he led some 2,500 people through the gay streets of Manchester. View this photo on Instagram People should have curtsied/bent down on one knee as the 76-year-old passed, but we'll allow that slip in royal etiquette just this once. View this photo on Instagram Just look at that car! View this photo on Instagram And while Sir Ian looked chuffed to be there, it was nothing compared to the joy that those attending Pride felt when they met the actor. View this photo on Instagram The big gay hugs were plentiful. View this photo on Instagram Everyone wanted a piece of him. View this photo on Instagram Seriously, how could those lovely smiles not make us all a little bit gayer? View this photo on Instagram Here Ian is giving a flower to a baby, like the seasoned gay royalty he is. View this photo on Instagram Of course, Ian is just one of the lads, too. Here is he is with some out and proud rugby players. View this photo on Instagram Speaking of, Ian also hung out with newly-out rugby star Keegan Hirst. The Outing Project @TheOuting1 Best of the day! @IanMcKellen & @KeeganHirst celebrating #Pride @ManchesterPride #ManchesterPride #Love #Equality ❤️ 08:59 PM - 29 Aug 2015 Reply Retweet Favorite Ian, darling, you are a national treasure. View this photo on Instagram And remember: Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF