British actor and comedian John Cleese went on a rant against “woke” culture Sunday after facing criticism from the trans community.
“Oh I do sympathy and support all the time, for most of the Third world. Except for Glasgow, of course,” the “Monty Python” co-founder tweeted to his 5.7 million followers. “I exclude all wokes, of course. I hope they fry in their own sanctimoniousness and narcissistic posturing. Until they get a sense of perspective, that is.”
Mr. Cleese found himself in hot water with the trans community over the weekend after tweeting support for “Harry Potter” creator J.K. Rowling, who was criticized this summer after claiming trans activism seeks to erase women.
“Deep down, I want to be a Cambodian police woman Is that allowed, or am I being unrealistic?” Mr. Cleese joked after receiving some backlash for the tweets.
“I’m afraid I’m not that interested in trans folks,” he wrote. “I just hope they’re happy and that people treat them kindly. Right now I’m more focussed on threats to democracy in America, the rampant corruption in the UK, the appalling British Press, the revelations about police brutality, Covid19, the incompetence of the British government, China’s complete disregard for the necessity to abandon fossil fuels, the developments in France between Macron and Islamicists, diabetes, and the recent deaths of several of my close friends. Does that sound hard-hearted?
“Yes, my understanding is superficial,” he added. “One thing: When a woman who was once a man is competing against women who have always been women, I think she has an advantage, because she inherited a man’s body, which is usually bigger and stronger than a woman’s Does that prove phobia?”
“Queer Eye” star Jonathan Van Ness accused Mr. Cleese of making “transphobic” comments.
“Dear @JohnCleese,” Mr. Van Ness tweeted. “You’ve made several transphobic comments here. You do seem to not only be interested in trans folks, but also adding to transphobia at a time when trans people are being murdered world wide. Trans & non binary people aren’t being treated kindly.”
“You do seem to not only be interested in trans folks, but also adding to transphobia at a time when trans people are being murdered world wide. Trans & non binary people aren’t being treated kindly,” he continued. “Instead of worrying about American democracy worry about the transphobia gripping the UK. Worry about the staggering inequality your country faces & keep LGBTQ issues out of your chapped ass lip having mouth unless you due to some miracle become an ally.
“Try being a trans, non binary, or gender non conforming person especially Black & Brown ones, ALONE in a rural town or ANYWHERE in the world,” he added. “The @jk_rowling & @JohnCleese of the world could never. So cruel to constantly punch down onto a marginalized group of people.”
