Kevin Spacey in hot water after sexual assault allegations

CHICAGO (FOX 32 NEWS) - Kevin Spacey, one of Hollywood's biggest stars, is facing big backlash Monday over allegations of sexual harassment and the way he handled his apology.

Spacey said he doesn't remember sexually harassing actor Anthony Rapp, who's a Chicago-area native. But Spacey's apology, including the announcement that he's gay, has sparked a firestorm of additional controversy. 

Spacey, a two-time Oscar winner, is in hot water following a Buzzfeed report that three decades ago, he made sexual advances on Rapp, a native of Joliet.  

Netflix has cancelled its popular original series “House of Cards” amid the allegations around Spacey.

LGBTQ leaders are blasting Spacey for combining his apology with the revelation that he's gay, thus  linking sexual orientation with sexual harassment. 

The president of the LGBTQ advocacy organization GLAAD said:  "Coming out stories should not be used to deflect from allegations of sexual assault. This isn't a coming out story about Spacey, but a survivorship story about Anthony Rapp."
 
According to Buzzfeed, Rapp claims that in 1986, the teen actor was in Spacey's apartment for a party. Spacey was 26.  Rapp was 14. After others left, Spacey picked up Rapp, placed him on his bed and climbed on top of him. 

Rapp now says he's speaking out because there's been too much silence surrounding such stories.

The 58-year-old Spacey issued a statement saying, "I'm beyond horrified to hear his story. I honestly do not remember the encounter, it would have been over 30 years ago. but if I did behave then as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior."

Spacey added, "I choose now to live as a gay man. I want to deal with this honestly and openly and that starts with examining my own behavior."

Netflix said “House of Cards” was going to be cancelled at the end of its sixth season anyway, the decision was made months ago, but announced today as fan demands grew. Company executives said Spacey is not working on the set at this time.