Alyssa Milano faces backlash for calling herself transgender, disabled, an immigrant and a person of colour in a recent Twitter post, reported Business Standard.
The debate began when Milano tweeted that she was celebrating her “transgender sisters” on Friday, which was International Women’s Day. When someone asked if she’s transgender, Milano responded that she is “everything” and encouraged her fans to not be afraid of what they don’t know.
I’m trans. I’m a person of color. I’m an immigrant. I’m a lesbian. I’m a gay man. I’m the disabled.
I’m everything. And so are you, Kirk.
Don’t be afraid of what you don’t know or understand. No one wants to hurt you. We are all just looking for our happily ever after. https://t.co/znkQizV37k
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) March 9, 2019
‘I’m trans. I’m a person of color. I’m an immigrant. I’m a lesbian. I’m a gay man. I’m the disabled. I’m everything. And so are you, Kirk,’ she wrote, adding, ‘Don’t be afraid of what you don’t know or understand. No one wants to hurt you. We are all just looking for our happily ever after.’
Despite clearly not meaning it in the literal sense, the former Charmed star attracted much criticism for her tweet, with many pointing out her place of privilege as a successful white woman.
The criticism was swift, as people pointed out that Milano is a straight, cisgender, healthy white woman who hasn’t had the same experiences as people with various backgrounds. One person pointed out that her tweet reflected the “I don’t see color” approach, which they called “oppression and erasure.”
No. You are an advocate. Be ok with that. This isn’t the way to say you are with us.
You can’t just fake an experience you don’t have. You don’t navigate any space like these groups.
This is the “I don’t see color” approach which is oppression and erasure.
— George M Johnson (@IamGMJohnson) March 9, 2019
I’m confident that there are better ways to show solidarity than to claim identities that do not belong to you .
— Blair Imani (@BlairImani) March 9, 2019
She got called the ‘worst type of feminist’
WTF That’s not how it works @Alyssa_Milano
You don’t get to identify as it just because you empathize.
Ur not gay, who’s been through that life.
Ur not a person of color, been through it.
You are a rich, white celeb who’s the worst type of feminist
STOP??THIS??HYPOCRISY?? https://t.co/zzpngNO7pi
— Joy Villa (@Joy_Villa) March 10, 2019
it’s actually not that woke or empowering to others for you to declare yourself a marginalised identity when you aren’t… come on dude
— beth mccoll (@imteddybless) March 9, 2019
Look you could have said “I support” rather than “I am.” Because at the end of the day, you will never face the difficulties a trans woman, or a black woman, or a lesbian will. So saying “I am” comes off as condescending & gross
— ?Elle ? Gato? (@ellle_em) March 9, 2019
Milano apologized for offending people in another tweet on Saturday, but added that she’s glad her comment “invoked conversation.” She explained that her intention was to reflect words from the poet Rumi: “This is a subtle truth. Whatever you love, you are.”
I’m glad this tweet invoked conversation. I’m so sorry it offended some. I see you and hear you. But just a reminder, empathy is not a bad thing. Nuance is important and literal interpretation is not always intended. And I can identify with and not identify as. Both are powerful.
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) March 9, 2019
