Wednesday 6 July 2022 08:12 AM Bette Midler hits back at fans who accused her of being transphobic trends now
Bette Midler has hit back at social media users who accused her of being transphobic, after she claimed that women were 'being erased' through the use of terms 'menstruators' and 'birthing people.'
The actress, 76, took to Twitter to clarify her post was referencing a New York Times opinion piece which had been published in the wake of the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe V Wade.
After several users warned Bette her words could be viewed as transphobic, she responded: 'PEOPLE OF THE WORLD! My tweet about women was a response to this fascinating and well written piece in the NYT July 3rd.'
Clarified: Bette Midler has hit back at users who accused her of being transphobic, after she claimed women were 'being erased' while blasting terms 'menstruators' and 'birthing people'
She added: 'There was no intention of anything exclusionary or transphobic in what I said; it wasn't about that.
'It was about the same old s*** women – ALL WOMEN – have been putting up with since the cavemen.
'Even then, men got top billing. But seriously, folks, if anyone who read that tweet thinks I have anything but love for any marginalized people, go to Wikipedia and type in my name.'
Explanation: The actress took to Twitter to clarify her post was referencing an opinion piece which had been published in the wake of the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe V Wade
The Grammy-winning entertainer said that she has 'fought for marginalized people for as long as [she] can remember,' adding that 'if you want to dismiss my 60 years of proven love and concern over a tweet that accidentally angered the very people I have always supported and adored, so be it.'
The Academy Award-nominated actress reinforced the political opinion she holds, writing, 'The truth is, Democracy is slipping through our fingers!
'I'm all in on trying to save Democracy for ALL PEOPLE. We must unite, because, in case you haven't been paying attention, divided we will definitely fall.'
Raging: In her original tweet, Bette had hit out at the article's use of the terms 'birthing people' and 'menstruators', claiming women 'shouldn't be erased'
In her original tweets, Bette had hit out at the article's use of the terms 'birthing people' and 'menstruators', claiming women 'shouldn't be erased.'
She said: 'WOMEN OF THE WORLD! We are being stripped of our rights over our bodies, our lives and even of our name!
'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!'
Bette Midler, pictured in December at the Kennedy Center gala, on Monday sparked anger by tweeting that women were being 'erased' by woke terminology
Midler's initial comments generated a swift reaction, with 11,000 retweets and 61,000 likes in less than 12 hours.
In the New York Times opinion piece published Sunday, columnist Pamela Paul blast the use of terms such as 'birthing people' and 'menstruators.'
Supporters say the controversial terms are inclusive of transgender men and non-binary people, but critics say they effectively erase another historically-oppressed minority - women.
Tennis icon Martina Navratilova - who has herself angered trans activists by questioning whether it's fair to let trans women compete in some sports - was among Midler's supporters.
She said: 'Careful Bette- you will be called transphobic too or worse…,' she said, with the 'horrified' emoji.
Midler received a number of varied responses to her initial tweet on the controversial topic
Comedian Shaparak Khorsandi joked: ''I'm excited about drinks with some birthing people I went to school with... we are having a proper mensturators night out!' Let me know when this happens. Right now it's just a kind nod to inclusion of a tiny minority.'
And singer Bradley James Skistimas, known as Five Times August, tweeted: 'I agree with you on this. Is your account hacked?
'Also, where were you when women of the world were being forced and coerced to get a vaccine jabbed into their bodies?'
But as predicted, thousands of others quickly descended on the famously-liberal Midler
