British actor Sir Ian McKellen on Monday criticized the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) assessment of a controversial Russian anti-gay law.

The 74-year-old, openly gay McKellen wrote on his Facebook page that he disagreed with recent statements made by IOC officials stating that the law, which prohibits the promotion of “gay propaganda” to minors, does not violate the Olympic charter.

(Related: IOC “fully satisfied” Russian anti-gay law doesn't violate Olympic charter.)

“As a gay participant in the opening ceremony of the London Paralympics in 2012, I am angered by the International Olympics Committee's announcement that harsh Russian anti-gay laws do not transgress its own Sixth Fundamental Principle of Olympism that 'any form of discrimination is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic movement,'” McKellen wrote. “In Russia, it is now effectively illegal to speak about homosexuality in public. That means that openly gay visitors to Russia, including Olympians, are only welcome if they bring their closets with them. I agree with the Human Rights Campaign that, 'The IOC has completely neglected its responsibility to athletes, corporate sponsors, and fans.'”

(Related: Ian McKellen “appalled” by Russian anti-gay law.)