Bette Midler has attracted criticism from fans after sharing an 'anti-trans' message on her Twitter account.
The 76-year-old Hocus Pocus star seemed to be starting to make a point about the recent controversy over abortion rights in the United States, but has been criticised widely for her statement, which could be construed as exclusionary to transgender and non-binary people.
Midler tweeted: “Women of the world! We are being stripped of our rights over our bodies, our lives and even of our name!”
The actor continued: “They don’t call us ‘women’ anymore; they call us ‘birthing people’ or ‘menstruators,’ and even ‘people with vaginas’!
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“Don’t let them erase you! Every human on earth owes you.”
Her message hasn’t gone down well with many people online, as some have encouraged her to ‘do better’ and others have expressed their disappointment in the much-beloved star.
One person wrote: “Trans people aren’t the reason abortion is banned, @BetteMidler.
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“And that ten year old who had to travel to Indiana for an abortion? She isn’t a woman.
“Including all people who can get pregnant does nothing to lessen your womanhood and it’s outright absurd for you to claim so.”
Another said: “No one is trying to erase women with inclusive language about people who need abortion care.
“No one is calling you anything but what you prefer.
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“You should extend that courtesy in return.”
A third said: “It’s because not only women menstruate, give birth, or have vaginas.
“Trans men do all of these things, as do non-binary folks.
“I love you so much, Bette, but you gotta do better here.”
Actor and comedian Shaparak Khorsandi offered her own thoughts on the matter to Bette, writing: "'I’m excited about drinks with some birthing people I went to school with... we are having a proper mensturators [sic] night out!’
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"Let me know when this happens.
"Right now it’s just a kind nod to inclusion of a tiny minority.”
Equality activist Panti Bliss also challenged Midler on her comments, imploring her not to ‘fall for the anti-trans panic fake nonsense’.
Bliss added: “No one is erasing women. In a few small healthcare cases where appropriate they are using trans inclusive language. That's all.”
Midler’s comments come after a sequel to Hocus Pocus was announced. Midler returns alongside Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as 17th Century witches resurrected 300 years after being executed in Salem, Massachusetts.
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If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence contact Mindline Trans+ on 0300 330 5468. The line is open 8pm–midnight Mondays and Fridays and is run by trans volunteers
Topics: Film and TV, US News, Politics, Celebrity
Tom Wood