"It was wrongly assumed that I wished to become some sort of leader among gay activists, whereas in reality I was happier to be a foot soldier"

Ian McKellen's quote recommends that there was a false impression of his intents within the LGBTQ+ community. He mentions that others assumed he intended to be a leader as well as an influencer amongst gay lobbyists, yet his true desire was to be an advocate and a participant in the movement. This implies that McKellen was material with being a "infantryman," someone that actively fought for LGBTQ+ legal rights without looking for acknowledgment or authority. In general, his statement stresses the relevance of recognizing and also appreciating the different duties individuals play in movements, as there are different ways to add as well as impact change beyond simply leadership placements.