Bette Midler has hit back at social media users who accused her of being transphobic after she claimed that women were “erased” through the use of the terms “menstruators” and “people in labor”.
The actress, 76, took to Twitter to clarify that her post referred to a New York Times op-ed published in the wake of the Supreme Court’s destruction of Roe V Wade.
After several users warned Bette that her words could be considered transphobic, she replied, “MEN OF THE WORLD! My tweet about women was in response to this fascinating and well-written piece in the NOW 3 July.’
Clarified: Bette Midler has hit back at users who accused her of being transphobic, after she claimed women were ‘erased’ while criticizing terms ‘menstruators’ and ‘births’
She added: ‘There was no intention of anything exclusive or transphobic in what I said; that’s not what it was about.
“It was about the same old s***women—ALL WOMEN—they’ve endured since the cavemen.
“Even then, men got the highest bill. But seriously, folks, if anyone reading that tweet thinks I have anything but love for marginalized people, go to Wikipedia and type in my name.”
Explanation: The actress took to Twitter to clarify that her post referred to an op-ed published in the wake of the Supreme Court’s destruction of Roe V Wade.
The Grammy-winning entertainer said she’s ‘fought for marginalized people for so long’ [she] can recall,” adding that “if you want my 60 years of proven love and concern over a tweet that accidentally angered the people I’ve always supported and adored, so be it.
‘The truth is that democracy is slipping through our fingers!
“I’m doing everything I can to save democracy for ALL PEOPLE. We must unite, for if you have not paid attention, divided we will surely fall.’
Raging: In her original tweet, Bette had lashed out at using the terms “births” and “menstruators” in the article, claiming that women “shouldn’t be erased”
In her original tweets, Bette had lashed out at the terms “births” and “menstruators,” claiming that women “shouldn’t be erased.”
She said, ‘WOMEN OF THE WORLD! We are being stripped of our rights to our bodies, our lives, and even our name!
‘They don’t call us ‘women’ anymore; they call us ‘births’ or ‘menstruators’, and even ‘people with vaginas’! Don’t let them erase you! Every person on earth owes you something!’
Stubborn: It’s not the first time Bette (pictured in 2019) has waded into the culture war battle, though she’s generally sticking to the progressive side of the online battle lines.
Midler’s first comments prompted a quick response, with 11,000 retweets and 61,000 likes in less than 12 hours.
In the New York Times opinion piece columnist Pamela Paul, published Sunday, denounced the use of terms such as “births” and “menstruators.”
Proponents say the controversial terms include transgender men and non-binary people, but critics say they are effectively erasing another historically oppressed minority — women.
Tennis icon Martina Navratilova – who has herself angered trans activists by questioning whether it is fair to let trans women compete in some sports – was one of Midler’s supporters.
She said, “Watch out, Bette, you’re also being called transphobic or worse…,” she said with the “shocked” emoji.
Hit Back: Midler received some mixed reactions to her first tweet on the controversial topic
Comedian Shaparak Khorsandi joked: “I’m excited about having drinks with some of the people I went to school with…we’re having a real menstrual night out!” Let me know when this happens. At the moment it’s just a friendly nod to the inclusion of a small minority.’
And singer Bradley James Skistimas, better known as Five Times August, tweeted: “I agree with you on this. Has your account been hacked?
“Besides, where were you when women of the world were forced and forced to inject a vaccine into their bodies?”
But as predicted, thousands of others quickly descended on the famously liberal Midler to accuse her of bigotry.
“No,” said Irish drag queen and gay rights activist Dr Panti Bliss-Cabrera.
Don’t fall for the anti-trans panic fake nonsense. Nobody erases women.
‘In some small healthcare cases they use trans-inclusive language where necessary. That’s all.’
Derry Girls actress Siobhan McSweeney replied, “This is not true. xxxx’
dr. Jacqui Lewis, senior minister of Middle Collegiate Church in New York City, said it didn’t have to be a “them or us” scenario.
“Using gender-inclusive language doesn’t deny my femininity,” she said.
“Liberation is collective.”
Author Chanda Prescod-Weinstein tweeted, “The stupidity of TERF semantics knows no bounds.”
TERF stands for “trans-exclusionary radical feminist” and is a term used to describe women who do not believe that transgender women should be given all the gender-based protection rights that match their gender.
Trans-journalist Niko Stratis said: “The problem with Bette Midler’s post is how the language is a direct line from that NYT op-ed, the power of the paper newspaper to tap into the fears, insecurities and lack good information from people who create this space. where the idea that transgender people are erasing women becomes reality.’
It’s not Midler’s first time wading into the culture war, though she’s generally sticking to the progressive side of the online battle lines.
In May, she sparked outrage by responding to the nationwide shortage of bottle feeding with the message: ‘TRY BREAST FOOD! It’s free and available on request.’
It immediately faced a wall of criticism from figures as diverse as Stephen Miller, Donald Trump‘s hardline speechwriter and executive producer of John Oliver.
Many pointed out that a significant percentage of women are unable to breastfeed despite their best efforts — one lactation consultant and author, Diana Cassar-Uhl, estimated the figure to be 12-15 percent of all mothers.
Others noted that some babies have specific feeding conditions and do not respond well to breast milk.
Others still pointed out that tens of thousands of babies are adopted and others are born through surrogate mothers.
And gay men — who make up a huge faction of Midler’s fanbase — were also outraged by Midler’s comment, who emphasized that a gay couple wouldn’t be able to breastfeed their baby or toddler.
Tim Carvell, the executive producer of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, tweeted: “Imagine you have a large gay fan base, many of whom are raising children in a family of two fathers, and this is a good suggestion.”
Miller, the longtime Trump aide, tweeted in response to Midler: “What a deeply insulting and ignorant statement.
“There are countless reasons why breastfeeding is not an option for many mothers – too many to go into here. And if you’ve used formula, you can’t just flip a switch. Not to mention millions of babies with milk/food allergies…”
Ilyse Hogue, president of the Progressive Social Change Campaign, Purpose, tweeted: “Bette, with respect, this is a very bad decision. I had twins. I was not producing enough milk for both. Without formula I would have had to choose which one to eat. Not to mention children who are separated from their biological mother at a very young age.’
One replied, “I love you Bette, but this isn’t okay. I fought to breastfeed my son, he continued to lose weight despite my best efforts including lactation experts.
“It was emotional and heartbreaking. I felt like a failure and after 3 months I switched to formula because of the stress it put on me and my son.’
Another joked: ‘No biggie, Bette says just get a wet nurse! (Never mind, they charge $1000+ a week and that’s something working families can’t afford, especially at a time when EVERYTHING costs more.)’
However, Midler doubled down and added: “People are piling up because of previous tweet. No shame if you can’t breastfeed, but if you can & are somehow convinced that your own milk isn’t as good as a ‘scientifically researched product’ then that’s something else.
“The monopoly news is news to me, but not a lie. #WETNURZEN’
She also said she trusted President Joe Biden to find a solution.
Elise Stefanik, the Republican House conference chair, tweeted that Biden has “NO PLAN.”
In response, Midler then retweeted a comment from podcast host Brian Tyler Cohen.
“Apart from wanting to starve babies and accuse anyone who disagrees with you of being a pedophile, Joe Biden DOES have a plan,” Cohen said.
‘It’s here. You’re lying.’
He added a link to Thursday’s White House factsheet detailing the steps they were taking to bring the issue under control.
Verdict: In response to the criticism, Bette then retweeted a comment from podcast host Brian Tyler Cohen