After revealing that she was considering the role of a transgender man, Halle Berry received backlash from those who argued that cisgender actors should not play transgender characters. Now Berry has released a statement on Twitter, apologizing for considering the role and announcing that she would withdraw herself from consideration.
Berry first revealed that the role was pitched to her during an Instagram Live with hairstylist Christin Brown. “I want to experience that world,” she said. adding, “I want to understand that world.”
Many took issue with the fact that cisgender actors should not play roles in which they portray transgender people. Berry wrote in a statement on Twitter: “Over the weekend I had the opportunity to discuss my consideration of an upcoming role as a transgender man, and I’d like to apologize for those remarks. As a cisgender woman, I now understand that I should not have considered this role, and that the transgender community should undeniably have the opportunity to tell their own stories. I am grateful for the guidance and critical conversation over the past few days and I will continue to listen, education and learn from this mistake. I vow to be an ally in using my voice to promote better representation on-screen, both in front of and behind the camera.”
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