People are threatening to boycott Hocus Pocus 2 after Bette Midler lashed out at trans-inclusionary language.
The actor has copped a boatload of criticism for the comments on social media where she expressed concern over womanhood being 'erased'.
She wrote on Twitter: "Women of the world. We are being stripped of our rights over our bodies, our lives and even of our name.
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"They don’t call us 'women' anymore; they call us 'birthing people' or 'menstruators', and even 'people with vaginas'.
"Don’t let them erase you. Every human on earth owes you."
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 since been criticised widely for her statement.
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Fans now turning against the long-awaited return of the Sanderson Sisters in Hocus Pocus 2 and say they now won't see the film out of protest.
One social media user said: "Bette Midler, why did you say that? Now I will and must boycott Hocus Pocus 2 after looking forward to it. What a damn shame. Trans women are women."
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A second added: "Now I gotta f**king boycott Hocus Pocus 2 because of this [trans exclusionary radical feminist]."
While a third chipped in with: "It sucks, can't believe I gotta boycott Hocus Pocus 2 after waiting all these years for it."
The boycott movement comes after waves of people on Twitter took her rant about women's reproduction as an attack on trans people.
Many said it was a long bow to connect the recent Supreme Court decision with the small amount of institutions that are using trans-inclusionary phrases.
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One person wrote: "Trans people aren’t the reason abortion is banned, Bette Midler. 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. You should extend that courtesy in return."
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Midler’s comments come as the September 30 release date for the sequel to Hocus Pocus edges closer.
Midler returns alongside Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as 17th Century witches resurrected 300 years after being executed in Salem, Massachusetts.
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, LGBTQ, News, Celebrity
