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Mark Hamill Clarifies JK Rowling Tweet: 'Human Rights For Everyone'
This is the second time the actor has become wrapped up in controversy after liking one of Rowling's tweets.
For the second time, Mark Hamill has clarified why he liked a controversial JK Rowling tweet.
When the Star Wars star liked a tweet the other day, he didn't think he'd become embroiled in a controversy. Fans of the actor noticed that Hamill had liked a tweet from controversial and transphobic author JK Rowling.
In the tweet, Rowling had taken a screenshot of a tweet from trans broadcaster India Willoughby where she said "I'm more of a woman than JK Rowling will ever be." Rowling added the comment, "citation needed."
\u201cCitation needed.\u201d— J.K. Rowling (@J.K. Rowling) 1674411168
When fans saw that Hamill had liked Rowling's tweets, they immediately begun to question why. Now, Hamill has clarified, saying that he meant to show support for Willoughby, not Rowling.
"What I 'liked' about this exchange was someone speaking their truth to power," he replied. "Twitter is, unfortunately, no place for nuance. It's imperative I make this abundantly clear: I support human rights for EVERYONE, regardless of their gender identity, PERIOD."
\u201cWhat I "liked" about this exchange was someone speaking their truth to power. Twitter is, unfortunately, no place for nuance.\nIt's imperative I make this abundantly clear: I support human rights for EVERYONE, regardless of their gender identity, PERIOD.\u201d— Mark Hamill (@Mark Hamill) 1674599179
Willoughby herself was happy with the clarification, responding by saying, "lots of love, Mark. Agree! Peace!"
Back in 2019, Hamill was in a similar spot after liking another Rowling tweet, one that said, "Dress however you please. Call yourself whatever you like. Sleep with any consenting adult who'll have you. Live your best life in peace and security. But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real? #IStandWithMaya #ThisIsNotADrill."
After fans asked why he was supporting Rowling's transphobia, Hamill immediately unliked the tweet and apologized.
"Ignorance is no excuse, but I liked the tweet without understanding what the last line or hashtags meant. It was the 1st 4 lines I liked & I didn't realize it had any transphobic connotation."
\u201cIgnorance is no excuse, but I liked the tweet without understanding what the last line or hashtags meant. It was the 1st 4 lines I liked & I didn't realize it had any transphobic connotation.\u201d— Mark Hamill (@Mark Hamill) 1576810010
Throughout his career, Hamill has supported the LGBTQ+ community. In a 2016 interview, he said that he supports any fan who interprets his character Luke Skywalker as gay.
"In the old days you would get fan mail. But now fans are writing and ask all these questions, 'I'm bullied in school... I'm afraid to come out'. They say to me, 'Could Luke be gay?'" he said. "I'd say it is meant to be interpreted by the viewer. If you think Luke is gay, of course he is. You should not be ashamed of it. Judge Luke by his character, not by who he loves."
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Mey Rude is a journalist and cultural critic who has been covering queer news for a decade. The transgender, Latina lesbian lives in Los Angeles with her fiancée.
Mey Rude is a journalist and cultural critic who has been covering queer news for a decade. The transgender, Latina lesbian lives in Los Angeles with her fiancée.
