Star of the X-Men franchise, Sir Ian McKellen has said that the persecution of mutants in the X-Men film series reflects that of the LGBT community.

Ian McKellen, who plays Magneto, told Buzzfeed, “Mutants are like gays, they’re cast out by society for no good reason.”

“They, as in all civil rights movements, have to decide: Are they going to take the Xavier line, which is to somehow assimilate and stand up for yourself and be proud of what you are, but get on with everybody, or are you going to take the alternative view, which is, if necessary, use violence to stand up for your own rights,” the openly gay actor said.

“And that’s true. I’ve come across that division within the gay rights movement.”

Watch the trailer for the latest instalment of the X-Men franchise, X-men: Days Of Future Past