Many interpreted her comments as critical of transgender-inclusive language, but the singer notes that was never the case. In a response to the backlash, the Hocus Pocus star explained that “there was no intention of anything exclusionary or transphobic in what I said; it wasn’t about that.” The original tweet read: “WOMEN OF THE WORLD! We are being stripped of our rights over our bodies, our lives and even of our name! They don’t call us “women” anymore; they call us “birthing people” or “menstruators”, and even “people with vaginas”! Don’t let them erase you!” As phrases like “birthing people” and “menstruators” are often used to be inclusive of transgender, intersex, and nonbinary people who menstruate or reproduce, many took her comments as a protest against the use of inclusive language. Now, in a new series of messages, the 76-year-old explained that her tweets were a response after a New York Times article entitled “The Far Right and Far Left Agree on One Thing: Women Don’t Count.” “My tweet about women was a response to this fascinating and well written piece in the NYT on July 3rd,” she explained. She continued, saying that the original tweet “was about the same old sh*t women – ALL WOMEN – have been putting up with since the cavemen. Even then, men got top billing.” The Golden Globe winner went on to state her support for “marginalized people,” noting: “I’ve fought for marginalized people for as long as I can remember. Still, if you want to dismiss my 60 years of proven love and concern over a tweet that accidentally angered the very people…I have always supported and adored, so be it.” While Midler’s new tweets claim to support transgender, intersex, and nonbinary people with absolutely no intention to exclude or come off as transphobic, the article she cites sends a very different message. As one Twitter user pointed out, the The New York Times op-ed reads as a criticism on trans-inclusive language. “The thing, ma’am, is that article is super transphobic. This isn’t an accusation, but you do need to step back and ask yourself why the people you “support and adore” are angry,” the user wrote under Midler’s post, adding, “Broadening our language is not exclusionary. Decoupling pregnancy from femininity liberates ALL women.” The op-ed in question, written by Pamela Paul, discusses the overturning of Roe v. Wade, specifically how people use the word “women” less in common discussions on reproductive rights. She writes: “Previously a commonly understood term for half the world’s population, the word had a specific meaning tied to genetics, biology, history, politics and culture. No longer. In its place are unwieldy terms like ‘pregnant people,’ ‘menstruators’ and ‘bodies with vaginas.’” The New York Times article goes on to reference J.K. Rowling and Kathleen Stock, both of whom argued in the past that inclusive language leads to the erasure of women and their experiences. In 2020, Rowling caught heat after tweeting: “If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth.” Paul argues in her article that these women are “brutally denounced for asserting themselves,” and that “in a world of chosen gender identities, women as a biological category don’t exist. Some might even call this kind of thing erasure.” So, while Midler’s intention may have been to clear up any confusion about what many deemed as transphobic behavior, in reality, her tweets just stirred up even more confusion. Next, Bette Midler’s 10 Best Roles
