Connect with us

Arts & Entertainment

Scarlett Johansson blasted for being cast as transgender man

The crime drama ‘Rub & Tug’ is based on the life of Dante ‘Tex’ Gill

Published

on

Scarlett Johansson (Photo by Dick Thomas Johnson via Wikimedia Commons)

Scarlett Johansson is facing backlash for choosing to play a transgender man in the upcoming crime drama “Rub & Tug.”

“Rub & Tug” is based on the life of Dante “Tex” Gill, a transgender man who operated a string of massage parlors that doubled as brothels in Pittsburgh.

Transgender actress Trace Lysette, who appeared in “Transparent,” fired back at the casting choice and brought up the double standards of transgender representation in Hollywood.

“Oh word?? So you can continue to play us but we can’t play y’all? Hollywood is so fucked… I wouldn’t be as upset if I was getting in the same rooms as Jennifer Lawrence and Scarlett for cis roles, but we know that’s not the case. A mess,” Lysette tweeted.

In another tweet, she added, “And not only do you play us and steal our narrative and our opportunity but you pat yourselves on the back with trophies and accolades for mimicking what we have lived… so twisted. I’m so done…”

“Sense8” star Jamie Clayton also weighed in tweeting, “Actors who are trans never even get to audition FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN ROLES OF TRANS CHARACTERS. THATS THE REAL ISSUE. WE CANT EVEN GET IN THE ROOM. Cast actors WHO ARE TRANS as NON TRANS CHARACTERS. I DARE YOU.”

Transgender activist Jen Richards pitched to the Hollywood Reporter that they should have a roundtable discussion on the issue of transgender casting in Hollywood. “Orange is the New Black” star Laverne Cox agreed.

In response to the criticism, a representative for Johansson sent this statement to Bustle: “Tell them that they can be directed to Jeffrey Tambor, Jared Leto, and Felicity Huffman’s reps for comment.”

Tambor played the lead role in “Transparent” earning two Emmys before he was fired from the series. Jared Leto won an Academy Award for his role as a transgender woman in the 2013 film “Dallas Buyers Club.”  Huffman portrayed transgender woman Bree Osbourne in the 2005 film “Transamerica.”

Advertisement
FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM
SIGN UP FOR E-BLAST

Sports

‘Heated Rivalry’ stars to participate in Olympic torch relay

Games to take place next month in Italy

Published

on

(Photo courtesy of Crave HBO Max)

“Heated Rivalry” stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie will participate in the Olympic torch relay ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics that will take place next month in Italy.

HBO Max, which distributes “Heated Rivalry” in the U.S., made the announcement on Thursday in a press release.

The games will take place in Milan and Cortina from Feb. 6-22. The HBO Max announcement did not specifically say when Williams and Storrie will participate in the torch relay.

Continue Reading

Bars & Parties

Here’s where to watch ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ with fellow fans

Entertainers TrevHER and Grey host event with live performance

Published

on

(Photo by New Africa/Bigstock)

Spark Social Events will host “Ru Paul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party Hosted by Local Drag Queens” on Friday, Jan. 23 at 8 p.m.

Drag entertainers TrevHER and Grey will provide commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. The watch party will take place on a heated outdoor patio and cozy indoor space.

This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Continue Reading

Bars & Parties

‘Queer Eye’ watch party set for Friday

DC Center to host event

Published

on

Members of the cast of 'Queer Eye' speak at an event at Crush Dance Bar in August. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

The DC Center is hosting a watch party for an episode of the 10th and final season of “Queer Eye,” which was filmed in D.C. The screening will be held on Friday, Jan. 23 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Center.

The screening will last 45-55 minutes, with community time both before and after the episode. Drinks and snacks will be provided and organizers promise a “surprise or two.” For information on tickets, visit the DC Center’s website.

Continue Reading

Popular