British actress Alice Eve has been accused of making transphobic comments about Bruce Jenner on social media, the Daily News in New York reports.
The star of Entourage and Star Trek Into Darkness took to Instagram to share her reaction to Jenner's interview with Diane Sawyer, in which the Olympian spoke about his gender transition. Eve took a feminist stance, arguing that Jenner had already reaped the benefits of being a man. However, her comments were regarded as tone-deaf given the sensitive nature of gender identity.
“If you were a woman no one would have heard of you because woman can’t compete in the decathlon,” Eve wrote Monday, addressing the former athlete.
"You would be a frustrated young athlete who wasn’t given a chance," she added. "Until women are paid the same as men, then playing at being a ‘woman’ while retaining the benefits of a man is unfair. Do you have a vagina? Are you paid less than men, Then, my friend, you are a woman."
Eve took down the controversial post after receiving backlash for her statements. She also offered this clarification.
"I'm not saying by identifying they are negatively impacting feminism,” she said in a follow-up post. “I am saying that we have to refine the language on this topic so all men, women, and transgenders are accurately represented in their process of self-identification. Maybe this needs a little thought. I felt confused and now I feel enlightened and like I know what education I need to move forward.”
Her Instagram feed now includes this post.
Here's hoping the dialogue moves to a more positive place.