Transgender
Bette Midler, Macy Gray Slammed for Anti-Trans Remarks
Midler claimed that trans-inclusive language erases women, while Gray said, "Just because you go change your parts doesn't make you a woman."
May 31 2023 3:40 PM EST
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Midler claimed that trans-inclusive language erases women, while Gray said, "Just because you go change your parts doesn't make you a woman."
Bette Midler and Macy Gray are getting blowback for anti-transgender comments they made over the weekend, and Gray has issued an apology of sorts, saying her remarks were "grossly misunderstood." But many are calling them TERFs, meaning "trans-exclusionary radical feminist."
Midler, who has had a large LGBTQ+ fan base throughout her career, tweeted Monday that women "are being stripped of our rights over our bodies, our lives and even of our name!" She objected to trans-inclusive language around reproductive issues.
\u201cWOMEN OF THE WORLD! We are being stripped of our rights over our bodies, our lives and even of our name! They don\u2019t call us \u201cwomen\u201d anymore; they call us \u201cbirthing people\u201d or \u201cmenstruators\u201d, and even \u201cpeople with vaginas\u201d! Don\u2019t let them erase you! Every human on earth owes you!\u201d— bettemidler (@bettemidler) 1656948480
The tweet drew many denunciations along with some support. Midler has not commented further, according to several media sources.
\u201c@BetteMidler Better - "birthing people" is an inclusive term, to include our trans brothers and sisters. I know you well enough to know that you choose to be inclusive\u201d— bettemidler (@bettemidler) 1656948480
\u201c@kins__khaleesi @delle59 @BetteMidler It is not a definition for women. It is in a very specific context defined as "people who give birth", not all of whom are women.\u201d— bettemidler (@bettemidler) 1656948480
\u201cMillennial trans women don't need JK Rowling, Bette Midler & Macy Gray as childhood female heroes anyway...\n\nNot when Beyonc\u00e9, Jennifer Lopez, Whoopi Goldberg, Kylie Minogue, Oprah, Goldie Hawn, Jane Fonda, Angelina Jolie & more all said TRANS RIGHTS w their whole chests \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f\u201d— Strewth \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 (@Strewth \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08) 1657003470
\u201cTrans people aren\u2019t the reason abortion is banned, @BetteMidler. And that ten year old who had to travel to Indiana for an abortion? She isn\u2019t a woman.\n\nIncluding all people who can get pregnant does nothing to lessen your womanhood and it\u2019s outright absurd for you to claim so.\u201d— \ud83e\udd0c\ud83c\udffe Imani Gandy \ud83d\udc46\ud83c\udffe (@\ud83e\udd0c\ud83c\udffe Imani Gandy \ud83d\udc46\ud83c\udffe) 1656966878
Gray, who also has a substantial LGBTQ+ following, made trans-exclusionary comments Monday on Piers Morgan Uncensored, which airs on Fox's subscription channel Fox Nation.
She claimed to support trans rights, as did the often-transphobic host. But when he brought up the issue of trans women competing with cisgender women in sports, Gray said, "I will say this, and everyone's gonna hate me, but as a woman, just because you go change your parts doesn't make you a woman, sorry. ... I know that for a fact."
\u201cWatch how the full discussion unfolded with @piersmorgan and @MacyGraysLife \ud83d\udc47 #MacyGray\n\nhttps://t.co/ZYkRc1TW3E\u201d— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@Piers Morgan Uncensored) 1656946720
Morgan had also opposed including trans women in women's sports, saying they were "born to obvious physical superior bodies." Actually, although a few trans women have achieved elite status in women's athletics, such as swimmer Lia Thomas, they do not dominate women's sports by any means.
"Being a little girl is a whole epic book, you know?" Gray added. "And you can't have that just because you want to be a woman. ... I don't think you should be labeled transphobic just because you don't agree."
Like Midler, Gray got pushback.
\u201cSo, Macy Gray says that surgery doesn\u2019t make you a woman? \n\nShe\u2019s right.\n\nTrans women are women. Surgery can only affirm what we already know to be true.\u201d— Gwendolyn Ann Smith (@Gwendolyn Ann Smith) 1656993442
\u201cChiiiile \u2026 Macy Gray was right about one thing. Surgery didn\u2019t make me a woman. I was one long before I even had access to my medical transition and even if I never had it I\u2019d still be who I am.\u201d— Raquel Willis (she/her) (@Raquel Willis (she/her)) 1657026451
\u201cI agree with Macy Gray - changing body parts doesn't make you a woman - you have to have a female gender identity - then you are a woman, regardless of your body parts.\n\nAnd remember, folks, TERFs aren't feminists. They're FARTs - Feminism Appropriating Reactionary Transphobes.\u201d— Alexandrasaurus (@Alexandrasaurus) 1657040388
"I have nothing but love for the LGBTQ+ and transgender community and have been a supporter since day one," Gray said in a statement to Billboard. "My statement on Piers Morgan was grossly misunderstood. I don't hate anyone. I respect everyone's right to feel comfortable in their bodies and live their own truth."
Some Twitter users weren't buying it.
\u201c@MacyGraysLife How can what you said be explained differently?\u201d— LizzieDys (@LizzieDys) 1657045807
\u201c@MacyGraysLife There was nothing to be misunderstood about what you said. You said it on tape with your full chest \ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02\u201d— You (@You) 1657045708
\u201c@MacyGraysLife Please please please focus on all the women celebrating you standing up for our rights and don't backtrack because of pressure. Women have the right to say that we are women, & also have the right to state literal reality. Most, especially women, agree w/u. Pls do not back track.\u201d— Ayanna (@Ayanna) 1657045709
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