Trans actor Jen Richards slams portrayal of trans women in new controversial film
Transgender actor Jen Richards at the Los Angeles LGBT Center 47th Anniversary Gala Vanguard Awards (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for Los Angeles LGBT Center)
Transgender actor Jen Richards has slammed a new controversial film because of its portrayal of trans women.
The first clips of the film, Tim McNeil’s drama “Anything”, were released yesterday.
The show features Matt Bomer as the main character, a transgender sex worker called Freda Von Rhenburg.
The film follows the story of Rhenburg forming a relationship with a straight man.
Richards, who auditioned for the role, is one of many trans people who are angry that a non-trans person landed the role.
In a series of tweets, Richards wrote that the choice of casting stereotyped transgender women.
“The whole premise is ‘omg a straight dude likes a trans woman! What does this MEAN?!’ That’s the big conflict. So of course they cast a man.
“The whole exercise presupposes trans women are just men with good hair & makeup. There’s no movie here if you know trans women are women,” Richards added.
Trans actor Jamie Clayton, who is known for her role in Sense8, also criticised the choice of casting.
“I really hope you choose to do some actual good for the trans community one day,” she wrote on Twitter.
Mark Ruffalo defended the choice to cast Bomer and insisted that the actor “poured his heart and soul into the part”.
“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.
“The movie is already shot and Matt poured his heart and soul into this part. Please have a little compassion. We are all learning,” Ruffalo added.
Eddie Redmayne, Jeffrey Tambor, Jared Leto and Andrew Garfield have all been criticised for taking transgender roles in the past, while trans actors and actresses struggle to break through.
