'Game of Thrones' Star Kristian Nairn: 'I'm Gay and I've 'Never Hidden My Sexuality'

March 12, 2014 -- "Game of Thrones" star Kristian Nairn is gay.

In fact, he said, it's not a new revelation: He's been open about it "my whole life," including on the set of the HBO drama.

'Game of Thrones' Season 4 Hype Starts

"It's a very small part of who I am on the whole, but nonetheless, in this day and age, it's important to stand up and be counted," Nairn, 38, told the "Game of Thrones" fansite Winter Is Coming. "I have and always will stand my ground. So, yeah, people have been great, on the show, but I don't see why it would be an issue.

The Irish actor, who plays Hodor on the fantasy series, also said that he gets a lot of fan mail from members of the gay community who find him attractive.

"I think it's really lovely," he said. "There's not a day that I don't get a few messages, but 99 percent or more are super sweet and nothing smutty at all! Again, it's a privilege, and I really mean that."