Rose McGowan Defends Comments Criticizing Caitlyn Jenner's Understanding of Womanhood

"I know that being a public figure is not easy. Being Caitlyn Jenner is most assuredly not easy."

Last Week, Caitlyn Jenner attended the Glamour Women of the Year Awards, and took home a trophy for being a champion of transgender issues.

Dimitrios Kambouris

BuzzFeed recently caught up with Jenner, and she answered a few questions after the show ended. One of of the questions was "What’s the hardest part for you about being a woman?"

Caitlyn responded by saying, "The hardest part about being a woman is figuring out what to wear. It’s always that way; I never thought it would come to this. I had really no sense of style. Everyone around me in my family had the sense of style — I learned as much as I possibly could. But, it’s more than that. I’m kind of at this point in my life where I’m trying to figure this womanhood thing out. It is more than hair, makeup, clothes, all that kind of stuff. There’s an element here, that I’m still kind of searching for. And I think that’ll take a while. Because I think as far as gender, we’re all on a journey. We’re all learning and growing about ourselves. And I feel the same way."

Incensed by Jenner's comments, Rose McGowan, who is most famous for playing the role of Paige Matthews on the show Charmed, took to Facebook in a since-deleted post, calling out Jenner.

Tim P. Whitby / Getty Images

McGowan's original Facebook post said:

"Caitlyn Jenner you do not understand what being a woman is about at all. You want to be a woman and stand with us – well learn us. We are more than deciding what to wear. We are more than the stereotypes foisted upon us by people like you. You’re a woman now? Well fucking learn that we have had a VERY different experience than your life of male privilege. Woman of the year? No, not until you wake up and join the fight. Being a woman comes with a lot of baggage. The weight of unequal history. You’d do well to learn it. You’d do well to wake up. Woman of the year? Not by a long fucking shot."

There was online backlash after McGowan's post spread across the web.

Meredith Yayanos @Theremina

Disgusted and disappointed by @RoseMcGowan's brutality. Transphobic remarks aren't helpful. (Yes, those ARE transphobic remarks.)

11:21 PM - 17 Nov 2015

eliza belle @esotika_

so rose mcgowan is transphobic trash :))))

02:09 AM - 17 Nov 2015

Some accused McGowan of being a TERF (Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist). TERFs believe that trans women aren't "real" women.

hot fallout widow @Anton_LaBae

did not expect that mouldy old TERF take with a non-apology cherry on top from rose mcgowan damn dig up

09:29 AM - 18 Nov 2015

And there were others who supported Rose's comments toward Jenner.

Tasha Jones @tstashajones

@rosemcgowan You are amazing & never once did I as a Trans woman think u were being #transphobic you were being honest & fair. Ty 4 being u

03:48 PM - 18 Nov 2015

Jill Robinson @jrobin4080

I absolutely support the trans community-however I need to agree with @rosemcgowan re: @Caitlyn_Jenner winning #GlamourWOTY25

12:48 AM - 18 Nov 2015

Yesterday, McGowan issued a statement that she posted on Twitter, stating she is definitely not transphobic.

rose mcgowan @rosemcgowan

08:52 PM - 17 Nov 2015

It reads:

"Let me take a moment to point out that I am not, nor will I ever be, transphobic. The idea is laughable. Disliking something a trans person has said is no different than disliking something a man has said or that a woman has said. Being trans doesn't make one immune from criticism.

I know being a public figure is not easy. Being Caitlyn Jenner is most assuredly not easy, but that doesn't absolve her of her responsibility. Living as a woman in this backwards society is hard. We need all hands on deck. Those who have a microphone speak to many. Especially that family.

I'd be thrilled to fight alongside Caitlyn Jenner. I just want her to know there is a monumental fight to be had.

Let's start retraining thought patterns. Let's go forwards, not backwards.

And maybe next time I'll curse less.

Maybe.

Fight on."

Caitlyn Jenner remains unbothered and has yet to respond to McGowan's comments.

Vanity Fair