Reactions on social media to the news that Matt Bomer is set to portray a trans sex worker in the upcoming Timothy McNeil film Anything have been been, well, anything but positive.
The trans community and trans advocates expressed outrage that yet another trans role in a Hollywood film was not given to a trans actor.
matt bomer playing a trans woman............ yikes ? how about we start doing this: cast actual trans people for trans roles
Why the hell is Matt Bomer playing a transgender woman?????
Jen Richards, a trans actor and director, pointed out that she auditioned for the same film (though a different and smaller role):
I auditioned for this. I told them they shouldn't have a cis man play a trans woman. They didn't care. https://t.co/T7YFe6OeX9
She went on to tweet out "reasons not to have cis men play trans women."
First, there's the practical/economic one. It denies actual trans women opportunities, jobs, resources, which hurts entire community.
When @MattBomer plays a trans sex worker, he is telling the world that underneath it all, trans women like me are still really just men.
Mark Ruffalo, as one of the project's executive producers, was called out specifically:
.@MarkRuffalo lip service to the trans community but when actually money and a job is involved -- he hires a cis guy
On Wednesday, the actor took to Twitter to respond directly to the trans community, writing, "I hear you. It's wrenching to see you in this pain. I am glad we are having this conversation."
To the Trans community. I hear you. It's wrenching to you see you in this pain. I am glad we are having this conversation. It's time.
He mentioned that he originally thought of Bomer for the role after working alongside the actor on HBO's The Normal Heart.
In all honesty I suggested Matt for the role after the profound experience I had with him while making "The Normal Heart".
Many people responded by demanding that Bomer be recast, allowing a trans woman to take on the role.
Others thanked him for (hopefully) opening up a conversation.
Thank you @MarkRuffalo, this means a lot. I would love to talk to you about it, and how to move forward positively. https://t.co/tYOHdlHn2W
Ruffalo responded to one person, revealing that the film was "already shot" and that Bomer "poured his heart and soul" into the part.
The actor asked for "a little compassion," adding, "We are all learning."
CORRECTION
Jen Richards auditioned for a part in Anything, but a different role from the part Bomer is playing. An earlier version of this post misstated that Richards auditioned for the same role as Bomer.