SEE IT: Guy Pearce apologizes for 'insensitive' tweet questioning transgender casting

Julia Johnson

April 02, 06:56 PM April 02, 06:56 PM

Actor Guy Pearce has apologized after recently questioning the standards surrounding the casting of transgender characters in film and television productions.

Pearce initially questioned the logic employed by those who suggest that only transgender-identifying actors should portray transgender characters. After receiving backlash, the Australian actor tweeted out a lengthy apology for the "insensitive" tweet.

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"I posted a tweet yesterday that I shouldn’t have, which to prevent upsetting anyone else I have now deleted. A fuller apology and explanation of the point I was raising is attached," he wrote.

He wrote in the attached statement that, “I see that raising the question of gender identity within the casting process on a platform like Twitter was not a good idea.”

“For that, I apologize, enormously. I acknowledge it has only stirred up and inflamed attitudes and made us all dig our heels in,” he added.

“Our industry is already a cesspool of politics, bums on seats funding, nepotism, and favoritism. It’s clear a great many minority communities are underrepresented onscreen and that so too are actors from those communities. But I don’t believe artists should have to announce their personal identity, sexual preference, political stance, disability, religious beliefs, etc. to attain work," Pearce continued.

However, he didn't cede his point entirely.

"I believe that to suggest 'acting' can only come from our own lived experience annihilates our imagination," he said.

The actors original tweet read: “A question – if the only people allowed to play trans characters r trans folk, then r we also suggesting the only people trans folk can play r trans characters?” he wrote in the since-deleted tweet. “Surely that will limit ur career as an actor? Isn’t the point of an actor to be able play anyone outside ur own world?”

Pearce's career launched after his appearance in the 1994 movie The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert where he, ironically enough, portrayed a drag queen.

The actor said he has been asked on several occasions whether it was appropriate for him to take the role. He further explained that this sparked his curiosity, prompting the tweet.

Twitter explodes as Musk's poll tops 12 million, favoring Trump's return

Ryan King

November 19, 01:31 PM November 19, 01:32 PM

Former President Donald Trump may be on his way out of the Twitter doghouse as favor for his return to the platform is leading the self-proclaimed Chief Twit's poll on whether he should be reinstated.

As of Saturday afternoon, over 12 million users chimed in, backing Trump's return by roughly 52.3% to 47.7% with seven hours left for voting. Twitter CEO Elon Musk tweeted the poll after stating a decision on Trump's suspension had not been made. The move proved divisive among many of its most prominent users.

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"Vox Populi, Vox Dei," the billionaire tycoon tweeted, using the Latin phrase meaning “the voice of the people is the voice of God."

"Fascinating to watch Twitter Trump poll," Musk later wrote.

Trump had been permanently booted off the platform during the fallout from the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and had been similarly suspended from Facebook as well. Detractors were quick to highlight the potential pitfalls of uncaging Trump's Twitter account, while supporters were giddy or disgruntled with Musk being indecisive on the matter.

"Idk man, last time he was here this platform was used to incite an insurrection, multiple people died, the Vice President of the United States was nearly assassinated, and hundreds were injured but I guess that’s not enough for you to answer the question. Twitter poll it is," Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) tweeted.

"Elon Musk is holding a poll on whether to bring Trump back to twitter prior to cleaning up what he claimed was a widespread bot/automation problem on Twitter. Makes sense he would do this prior to fixing the problem he claimed existed," Democratic strategist Adam Parkhomenko tweeted.

Others felt that Trump's ban from the social media platform was "inconsistent" with how the website treats other political officials' accounts.

"I don’t like permanent bans at all. But specific to Donald Trump, his ban is inconsistent with the treatment of other political figures in the United States and around the world. There are authoritarian regimes with active Twitter accounts. Create a clear standard and follow it," former Rep. Justin Amash, a speaker of the House contender, tweeted.

Musk previously said earlier this year he would "reverse" the ban on Trump's account when billing himself as a "free speech absolutist."

“I would reverse the permanent ban,” Musk declared earlier this year, per CNBC. “I don’t own Twitter yet. So this is not like a thing that will definitely happen, because what if I don’t own Twitter?”

Musk has since appeared to waver after taking the reins of the social media behemoth. Last month, he unveiled plans to form a "content moderation council" and stressed that "no major content decisions or account reinstatement" will take place before it convenes.

Then, on Friday, the space and electric car guru posted the poll after freeing the Babylon Bee, Jordan Peterson, and Kathy Griffin from Twitter jail. He also told a user, "No," when asked about restoring conspiracy theorist Alex Jones's account.

Trump, once one of Twitter's most prolific users, has indicated he won't return to the platform, even if he was allowed to do so. Instead, he has turned to his own social media platform, Truth Social. He launched his 2024 campaign Tuesday.

Musk's $44 billion takeover has been turbulent for Twitter as he steers the company through mass layoffs and demands his workers to go "hardcore." Earlier this week, many users speculated the platform could soon fall by the wayside amid an exodus of engineers.