Actress Bette Midler faced backlash after posting a controversial tweet that soon had a lot of attention. Midler, who is active on Twitter to discuss her left-leaning beliefs, was called out for being transphobic after posting a tweet that goes as follows: “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!”
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
This tweet comes in the middle of a culture war that seems to divide a plethora of people, even within groups who consider themself left-leaning. As transgender advocates urge gender-neutral language, seeking ways to include trans people in the conversation about abortion. After Roe V. Wade was officially overturned by SCOTUS, some women discussed that not only were rights being taken away but so was the language to describe women and women-safe places, often pointing blame to transgender individuals.
No. Don’t fall for the anti-trans panic fake nonsense. No one is erasing women. In a few small healthcare cases where appropriate they are using trans inclusive language. That’s all.
— Dr Panti Bliss-Cabrera (@PantiBliss) July 4, 2022
“Don’t let them erase you! Every human on earth owes you!” Midler finished the tweet. But, many people tried to explain gender-neutral language does not attempt to erase women or dehumanize them, but tries to include everyone in the conversation. “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,” author Roxane Gay responded.
No, Bette. Being inclusive raises us all up, it does NOT strip us of our rights. Come on, don’t do this. Don’t divide us MORE.https://t.co/DinlOiQN8x
— Dr. Fangirl, PhD (Chrisha) (@drfangirlphd) July 4, 2022
Recently, some have noticed panic emerging around transgender individuals, especially within conservative states. “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,” one person added. Many on Twitter called out Midler, with some people wondering why some believe that gender-neutral language is meant to erase someone when that is the exact problem it tries to solve.
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