Chris Pine admired how Zachary Quinto 'came out'

Chris Pine has applauded his Star Trek co-star Zachary Quinto for the way he announced he was gay in 2011, insisting he knew all about the actor's sexual preference when they started working together in the sci-fi franchise.

Zachary Quinto 'came out' in an interview with New York magazine after being deeply affected by the suicide of bisexual teenager Jamey Rodemeyer, and told the publication that "living a gay life without publicly acknowledging it is simply not enough to make any significant contribution to the immense work that lies ahead on the road to complete equality".

And last year (Sep12), the actor confirmed reports he was dating Jonathan Groff.

Chris Pine admits he has nothing but respect for his pal and the way he 'came out', telling Out magazine, "I thought it was rad. It was really, really cool. He did it on his own time, on his own schedule.

"It was just who Zach was and that's that. I'm sensitive, and I don't ever want to make anyone feel uncomfortable. Knowing that, for Zach, it was more about a career thing and that he was not comfortable at the time coming out - it was fine."

And Chris Pine admits it was a relief for his Star Trek castmates - because none of them wanted to 'out' Quinto before he was ready.

The actor adds, "It was something that we kind of tiptoed around."