It looks like the sub-editors on the Guardian's 'comment is free' section took a little break on Monday (February 17, 2014), when an article referring to Sir Patrick Stewart as gay slipped through the net...onto the net. The Star Trek actor married the jazz singer Sunny Ozell in September 2013.

Sunny Ozell Patrick StewartSunny Ozell [L] and her husband Patrick Stewart [R}

In Jane Czyzselska's celebration of Ellen Page's coming out, the journalist wrote: 

"Some gay people, such as Sir Patrick Stewart, think Page's coming out speech is newsworthy because a high-profile and surprisingly politically aware young actress has decided not to play by the rules that so many closeted Hollywood actors are advised to follow if they are to enjoy mainstream success."

After some commenters seized upon the mistake - "Since when is Patrick Stewart gay? Has his wife been informed?" - the Guardian issued a notice that read, "This article was amended on 17 February 2014. The third paragraph originally said 'Some gay people, such as Sir Patrick Stewart, think Page's coming out speech is newsworthy'. This should have read 'Some people, such as Sir Patrick Stewart, think Page's coming out speech is newsworthy'".

To Stewart's credit, he saw the amusing side of the mistake, tweeting, "Well, @guardian it makes for a nice change...at least I didn't wake up to the internet telling me I was dead again."

Though not gay, Stewart is a long-time ally of the LGBT community and has performed gay roles before, including a flamboyant interior decorator in 1995 gay romantic comedy Jeffrey.  

Patrick StewartPatrick Stewart, Not Gay.