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Rose McGowan: I’m sorry for ‘dumb generalization’ about gays

Posted at 3:56 PM, Nov 06, 2014
and last updated 2014-11-06 15:56:37-05
Rose McGowan introduces the film "Notorious" at The Egyptian Theatre during the TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood California on April 26, 2013.

Rose McGowan introduces the film “Notorious” at The Egyptian Theatre during the TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood California on April 26, 2013.

“Charmed” actress Rose McGowan has a bone to pick with the gay community — but first she has an apology to make.

McGowan recently spoke with filmmaker Bret Easton Ellis on his podcast about sexism and misogyny, and the topic turned to her frustration with what she sees as a lack of support from the gay community for women’s rights.

“I see now basically people who’ve fought for the right to stand on top of a float wearing an orange speedo and take molly (MDMA),” McGowan said. “And I see no help, and I see no paying it forward, and I have a huge problem with that. … There are so many things to help and do, and I see no extending of a hand outside of the gay community to another community, and that’s a problem for me.”

She also said that “gays are as misogynistic (as straight men), if not more so. … I have an indictment of the gay community right now; I’m actually really upset with them.”

Some have turned to Twitter with criticism of the actress, saying McGowan’s observation doesn’t hold water.

Twitter user J. Kimball Currier told McGowan: “I fought for the right to marry the person I love, not to take drugs in speedos on a parade float. That’s spite, plain & simple.”

When the backlash poured in, McGowan took to Twitter, in addition to posting opinion pieces in The Advocate and The Huffington Post, with an apology and a clarification.

“I made a dumb generalization, and for that I apologize,” she said in her opinion piece. “For everything else I said, no, I will not.”

“Where does it say that because of a man’s sexual preference, I don’t get to point out character defects?” McGowan continued. “When equal pay for women was voted down by every male Republican there was no LGBT outcry. I wondered why that was? After all, lesbians are women, this affects them, too, right? Misogyny infuriates men, and it endangers me as a human.”

To be clear, “Gay men certainly aren’t MORE misogynistic than heteros, but I’ve met some that have come damn close,” the actress and director said. “In some ways it’s more damaging, because it’s coming from supposedly enlightened people.

“I do expect more from a group of people that understands discrimination. … What I want is for gay rights activists to help other disenfranchised groups. These activists are experts while so many other groups flounder. It’s time to share the wealth and knowledge.”

While some have been offended by McGowan’s remarks, others say she has a point — albeit a poorly articulated one.

The Twitter user who called her comments spiteful has since received a personal apology from McGowan, which he’s accepted.

But Currier adds: “I can’t speak for all gay men but I for one have ALWAYS stood for and defended women. Always.”