Chris Pine proud of Zach Quinto for coming out

Zachary Quinto, left, and Chris Pine. Photo / AP

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.

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 in September 2012, the actor confirmed reports he was dating Jonathan Groff.

Pine admits he has nothing but respect for his pal and the way he 'came out'.

"I thought it was rad. It was really, really cool. He did it on his own time, on his own schedule," he tells Out magazine.

"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 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."

- WENN