Omar Sharif Jr.

THE GRANDSON OF FAMOUS ACTORS, WITH A MUSLIM FATHER AND JEWISH MOTHER, OMAR SHARIF JR. WANTS TO HELP BRING ABOUT ACCEPTANCE AND TOLERANCE IN HIS EGYPTIAN HOMELAND

WORDS: CHRIS GODFREY PHOTOGRAPHY: VICTORIA WILL FASHION: JOSEPH KOCHARIAN

ACTING ‘ THE PART’

INSPIRATION AWARD

Omar wears all clothing throughout by John Varvatos, shoes by Christian Louboutin

When he learns of his Attitude Inspiration Award, Omar Sharif Jr.’s reaction is characteristically humble. “My story is not unique, it’s just better-known,” he says. But as the first high-profile personality to come out as gay in the Arab world, not to mention being the grandson of legendary Egyptian actors Omar Sharif and Faten Hamama, that is something of an understatement.

It’s certainly a story that qualifies him to be an inspiring figure. In 2012, the actor, media personality and campaigner used his public profile to come out as both gay and half Jewish, through a poignant letter in the Advocate. In his homeland, it was an especially provocative act— one that jeopardises his safety.

Homosexuality isn’t specifically outlawed but there are morality laws that carry a sentence of up to up to 17 years in prison and, in recent years, the LGBT+ community has been the target of a fierce state-sponsored crackdown.

Fearing persecution if he stayed, “Egypt’s favourite son” (as he was often called) was forced to leave Cairo and seek sanctuary in America.

It would have been easy to retreat into the safe, relative obscurity his new home offered, but instead he recognised his platform and used it. He’s spent time as the national spokesperson for the gay rights group GLAAD, he’s championed Iraqi refugees at the UN and, last year, he made more history by becoming the first openly gay man to discuss his sexuality on an Arabic news programme.