Bette Midler, who has supported and courted a large LGBTQ fanbase for decades, appeared to be responding to the Supreme Court’s recent decision overturning abortion rights in her Independence Day tweet. However, her tweet angered a number of commenters who took her to task for language that they felt was demeaning and exclusionary. Both Midler and Macy Gray came under fire on Monday (July 4) for comments that some have deemed anti-trans.
“You! Women of the world. Even our name and our lives, we are being stripped of our rights over our bodies! Midler tweeted this week after the conservative majority of the Supreme Court overturned the nearly half-century-old decision in Wade v. Roe, which guaranteed access to abortion. “Don’t call us ‘people with vaginas,’ ‘menstruators,’ or ‘people birthing.’ Don’t erase them! Every human owes a debt to the earth!”
You should return in courtesy that extent. There is nothing you prefer, but calling it is not one. There is no one trying to erase women with inclusive language about people who need abortion care. Gay wrote, “There is no one trying to erase women with inclusive language about people who need abortion care. You should extend that courtesy.” One of the commenters was taking the task to Midler to comment on what she was for, for the task of taking Midler to comment on what she was for, many commenters were taking the task to Midler. Gay Roxane, bestselling author and professor, was one of the many commenters.
“Additionally, it is important to acknowledge the healthcare needs of transgender men and women who menstruate. A number of replies have highlighted this issue. One commenter, Bette Midler, wrote that cisgender women are even more vulnerable and share the same reproductive organs. It is crucial to include transgender men in discussions about reproductive health, as they are not excluded. Some commenters pointed out that Bette Midler made a mistake by referring to a transgender man as a woman. In the wake of major social and political events, Bette Midler is often one of the most vocal and influential voices on social media.”
Another person chimed in, expressing their support for the statement that “#TransRightsAreHumanRights #TransMenAreMen #TransWomenAreWomen.” They pointed out that it is important to acknowledge that not all individuals who can give birth identify as women, and similarly, not all women have the ability to give birth. This comment emphasized the significance of being on the right side of history.
The paper reported that some argue that using phrases such as ‘pregnant people’ instead of ‘women’ in discussions of reproductive care is an effort to recognize and include nonbinary and trans individuals, while others oppose this inclusive language, claiming that it reduces people to their biology. They view this ‘erasure’ as just as egregious as denying people their reproductive rights. The ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and other abortion rights organizations and advocates in Los Angeles Times also support this inclusive language.
At the press time, it did not appear that Midler, the singer’s spokesperson, responded to the backlash for requesting billboard’s response.
After her appearance on British talk-show host Piers Morgan’s TalkTV show on Monday night, 54-year-old Gray stirred similar ire when she commented that being a woman in this era basically requires being born with a “vagina” and “boobs.” Morgan commented on the public figures who are most terrified to say what they think.
Gray acknowledged, “I understand!” In response to her statement, “It’s becoming perplexing,” while further mentioning, “And a vulva! That’s where we should begin. I would argue for a person with breasts,” preceding her explanation of the bodily characteristics she deems essential in defining femininity.
“During the discussion, Gray expressed his agreement with Morgan’s claim that he supports all transgender rights, emphasizing that he believes he was born with a physical advantage over women in sports.”
Gray stated that she fully agreed, although she recognized that her statements might provoke some disagreement. “And I understand that my opinion may be unpopular, but as a female, simply altering your physical attributes does not automatically classify you as a woman, I apologize … I can personally attest to this. If you would like me to refer to you as ‘her,’ I am willing to do so because that is your preference, but it does not define you as a woman solely based on my use of that pronoun and the fact that you have undergone surgery.”
“I don’t think you should be transphobic just because you know people who are judgmental and close-minded. However, it’s the truth, and I don’t agree with it,” she said. Gray acknowledged that she expected the same ire in response to her repeated anti-trans screeds, which brought intense backlash upon J.K. Rowling, the author of Harry Potter, at one point.
J.K. Rowling tweeted along with Emojis, expressing her support for Macy Gray’s entire catalogue. She mentioned that she feels good today, ensuring that she bought it. Rowling’s comment appeared in response to Gray’s stance, as if she weighed in on the matter.
At the time of press, Billboard had not received a response from Gray’s representative regarding their request for comment.
Check out Midler’s tweet and Gray’s remarks below, along with a few of the reactions.
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!
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) July 4, 2022
Better – “birthing people” is an inclusive term, to include our trans brothers and sisters. I know you well enough to know that you choose to be inclusive
— bitchyolympian (@delle59) July 4, 2022
Bad take there, Bette.
— Ann McL 🇺🇦❤️🕊 (@Ann_McL) July 4, 2022
This is a bad take, Bette!!! Not all women have vaginas and not all people with vaginas are women!! Pleas include trans people in your feminism or it means absolutely nothing!
— Bri (a known gay) 🌈💋 (@brirydernyc) July 4, 2022
I didn’t have Macy Gray being a terf on my bingo card fucking yikes ??? cis women are so embarrassing like why the fuck you even care. am i only a woman because of my parts? that’s all we’re limited to? https://t.co/QdssOBXMj7
— McNugget Mami (@_omgigi_) July 5, 2022
what is it about “womanhood” that TERFs like macy gray and bette midler are so desperate to cling to? trans women existing doesn’t make me any less of a woman, no matter how different our experiences may be. it’s just ridiculous at its core honestly.
— Arielle (she/her) (@mrstschinkel) July 5, 2022
macy gray being all transphobic and “a woman is this” when she’s the one who made me feel cool for having a deep voice like a man? damn
— ashley ray (@theeashleyray) July 4, 2022