‘No intention of anything exclusionary’: Bette Midler responds to criticism over controversial statements

Outspoken actress Bette Midler has faced backlash over controversial statements she made on Twitter on July 5.

The 76-year-old caused an online stir when she made a public callout for “women of the world” to fight back from being erased.

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! Every human on earth owes you!

— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) July 4, 2022

The Beaches star was slammed for transphobic comments and jumped to clarify her statements.

PEOPLE OF THE WORLD! My tweet about women was a response to this fascinating and well written piece in the NYT on July 3rd. https://t.co/MlsATlrr1r. There was no intention of anything exclusionary or transphobic in what I said; it wasn’t about that.

— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) July 5, 2022

Midler further explained that she has “nothing but love” for all marginalized people, asking people to look back her life over the past 60 years to see the support she’s offered them.

“It was about the same old shit women – ALL WOMEN – have been putting up with since the cavemen. Even then, men got top billing,” she wrote.

“But seriously, folks, if anyone who read that tweet thinks I have anything but love for any marginalized people, go to Wikipedia and type in my name.

“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.

“But the truth is, Democracy is slipping through our fingers! I’m all in on trying to save Democracy for ALL PEOPLE. We must unite, because, in case you haven’t been paying attention, divided we will definitely fall.”

Midler made the news recently with her comments on the recent Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

The Hollywood star responded to “bible-thumping ninnies” who say abortion should be banned because pregnancy is “God’s will”, saying the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra, should also be banned.

“Time to ban Viagra. Because if pregnancy is “God’s will”, then so is your limp dick,” Midler shared on social media.