British actress Amanda Abbington deleted her X account after being attacked by the outrage mob for being a “transphobe.”
The 49-year-old “Sherlock” star was facing intense scrutiny after it was announced that she was cast in the upcoming season of the U.K.-based reality competition show “Strictly Come Dancing,” which is similar to “Dancing with the Stars.”
Critics accused Abbington of being a “TERF” (trans-exclusionary radical feminist) and transphobe for expressing her objections to a “12-year-old” participating in a drag performance that was sexually suggestive, according to the actress.
The actress deleted her X account and addressed fans via Instagram, saying she believed drag was “brilliant” and “an art form.”
She also said that while she believes drag “absolutely has a place in the entertainment industry,” she does not support minors performing in a “sexualized” manner.
Abbington specifically addressed critics who threatened to boycott “Strictly Come Dancing” because she would be on it.
“I’m sorry if you feel like you would boycott ‘Strictly’ for a tweet I made about a drag show,” she said, insisting that her criticism didn’t extend to trans-identified adults or drag performers. “I am not a transphobic person, I am a firm supporter of the legitimate trans community. I always have been,” she added.
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“I think they have been infiltrated by some people who want to cause damage and want to cause trouble and pit people off of each other and cause as much harm as possible. But I would support any trans person who is feeling persecuted or not listened to or not seen,” Abbington said.
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“I’m not a hateful person,” she insisted. Abbington explained that she left X because she didn’t “like it over there anymore.”
“What we need to do now more than ever is just make sure that everybody is looking after each other,” the actress said. “It’s f***ing toxic out there. It’s horrible.”
Abbington also alluded to comments she made in 2020 about women not having penises. She had previously apologized for those comments and she did “research” and was “better informed” on the matter.
“I’ve said stupid things and instantly regret them. Everybody’s learning,” she said in the most recent video.
“I am an ally of the LGBTQ community,” she continued. “Everybody does stupid things but it’s what you do after that is important and how you address them. I’m not transphobic … I think there’s a place for everybody as long as we’re aware of each other and we look after each other and don’t go for each other in a hateful way. So I’m sorry.”