‘American Horror Story’ star Matt Bomer has been chosen to play a transgender sex worker in an upcoming film directed by playwright Timothy McNeil.
‘Anything’, based on a 2007 play written by McNeil, tells the story of a widower (John Carroll Lynch) who sparks an “unlikely romance” with his charismatic neighbour (Bomer).
Bomer and the executives of the film have been criticised heavily online after the announcement, calling for transgender actors to be offered transgender roles.
Trans actress Jamie Clayton tweeted her concerns to Bomer and Mark Ruffalo, who is serving as executive producer on the film.
“I really hope you both choose to do some actual good for the trans community one day,” Clayton tweeted.
The ‘Sense8’ star later posted an image showing that Bomer had blocked her on the social media platform.
It’s sad that this happens instead of wanting to have a conversation about how to help. #transisbeautiful@MattBomerpic.twitter.com/k4Qpap5dLW
— Jamie Clayton (@MsJamieClayton) August 30, 2016
Other members of the trans community took to Twitter to condemn the casting decision, identifying the lack of representation on screen.
Matt Bomer playing a trans woman is the perfect example of how cis gay men throw us under the bus for capitalism and assimilation.
— Raquel Willis (@RaquelWillis_) August 28, 2016
Matt Bomer who is playing a trans woman, is blocking trans actresses who want to talk to him.
Good look, bro. Good look.
— Thirty Helens (@30_Helens) August 30, 2016
Mark Ruffalo has since tweeted a response acknowledging the concerns of the community, welcoming the 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.
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) August 31, 2016
Last year, the LGBTIQ community raised similar concerns online prior to the release of Roland Emmerich’s ‘Stonewall’, which omitted a number of transgender people of colour who were instrumental in the events at the historic protest in New York.
OIP Staff
