Lots of transgender men and women were offended by Charles' statements.
As a gay trans man who has been turned away by gay men (not even romantically or sexually) for not being "male enough", I can full heartedly state that James Charles's statement is, in fact, transphobic as all fuck.
— ????ʟεт мε ıп чσυя σcεαп???? (@sicknastycat) April 13, 2019
"As a gay trans man who has been turned away by gay men (not even romantically or sexually) for not being 'male enough,' I can full-heartedly state that James Charles's statement is, in fact, transphobic as all f***," one person shared on Twitter.
People continuously expressed their outrage but also their disappointment.
what saddens me the most is the amount of trans people who looked up to james charles and had to listen to that.....
— sim, 91 (@DANCESlVAN) April 12, 2019
"What saddens me the most is the amount of trans people who looked up to James Charles and had to listen to that...," a person wrote.
His words seemed to hit people even harder since he is actually part of the LGBTQ+ community and should understand the continuous oppression and invalidation they experience on a daily basis.
They also took the time to educate others about exactly what made Charles' statements hurtful.
with everything that james charles said here’s a friendly reminder that it’s transphobic to say someone’s sexuality changes if they’re attracted to a trans person because you’re implying trans men aren’t actually men or trans women aren’t actually women thanks :)
— caden (@reprisings) April 12, 2019
"With everything that James Charles said, here’s a friendly reminder that it’s transphobic to say someone’s sexuality changes if they’re attracted to a trans person because you’re implying trans men aren’t actually men or trans women aren’t actually women. Thanks."
Are you following?
Another critic simplified the concept even more.
im sad rn so i can’t say much intellectual shit, but james charles said something truly idiotic. trans men are men and trans women are women. gay men being attracted to a trans man doesn’t make them less/not gay. you like men. trans men are men. it very clearly makes sense
— izzy (@bohemiandyke) April 12, 2019
"I'm sad [right now] so I can’t say much intellectual sh** but James Charles said something truly idiotic. Trans men are men and trans women are women. Gay men being attracted to a trans man doesn’t make them less/not gay. You like men. Trans men are men. It very clearly makes sense."
James Charles delivered an apology for his comments about transgender people and sexuality on Twitter.
in attempt to explain the very complex concept of sexuality (& mine) in my vid today, I unintentionally implied that my trans brothers & sisters arent valid. this is NOT what I was trying to say. you are valid in your identity!! I apologize & should’ve chosen my words wiser!????????️????
— James Charles (@jamescharles) April 12, 2019
"In [an] attempt to explain the very complex concept of sexuality (& mine) in my vid today, I unintentionally implied that my trans brothers & sisters aren't valid," he wrote. "This is NOT what I was trying to say. You are valid in your identity!! I apologize & should’ve chosen my words wiser!"
Some critics aren't buying his apology at all.
james charles: i dont think im 100% gay bc ive been attracted to trans men
— totle (@Iesbebe) April 12, 2019
james charles after receiving backlash: i need to word things wiser i wasnt trying to invalidate trans people
like im confused as to how that is just a poor choice of words. what was he actually trying
"James Charles: I don't think I'm 100% gay bc I've been attracted to trans men. James Charles after receiving backlash: I need to word things wiser. I wasn't trying to invalidate trans people," one person wrote.
"Like I'm confused as to how that is just a poor choice of words. What was he actually trying to say in the video if not that?" the person continued.
to say in the video if not that ??? and if he truly did mean something else why didnt he say what he really Meant in his apology tweet...like he said what he said in that vid i dont see another way it could be interpreted.... a headache literally a Headache
— totle (@Iesbebe) April 12, 2019
"And if he truly did mean something else, [then] why didn't he say what he really meant in his apology tweet. Like he said what he said in that vid. I don't see another way it could be interpreted... A headache literally a Headache."
They are also irritated by cisgender people who accepted James Charles' apology.
fuck james charles and any cis person accepting his apology on behalf of trans people as if the apology was even for you. if you don’t identify as transgender then you don’t get to decide how trans people should feel, behave or which apologies they should or shouldnt accept.
— joey (@joeystroomer) April 15, 2019
"F*** James Charles and any cis person accepting his apology on behalf of trans people as if the apology was even for you," one critic wrote. "If you don’t identify as transgender then you don’t get to decide how trans people should feel, behave, or which apologies they should or shouldn't accept."
Some trans people felt less strongly about James Charles statements, although they still felt what he said was wrong.
am i the only trans guy who doesn’t give a shit about what james charles said? like... he worded it wrong but we can’t expect everybody who’s not that educated on trans people to get it right every time. just correct him and move on, he’s apologised.
— NOAHFINNCE (@noahfinnadams) April 13, 2019
"Am I the only trans guy who doesn’t give a shit about what James Charles said? Like... he worded it wrong, but we can’t expect everybody who’s not that educated on trans people to get it right every time. Just correct him and move on. He’s apologised."
Let's all just use this situation as a learning experience.
Charles seemingly factored his attraction to trans men into his reasoning for why doesn't consider himself to be "full gay," suggesting that he doesn't see his attraction to a trans man in the same way he does his attraction to a cisgender man. Clearly, we all have to do more than just be careful with our words and apologize when we screw up statements. A lot of unlearning needs to happen when it comes to how we grapple with sexuality, gender identity, and how we value them both.
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