Female A-Listers Criticise 'Double Standards' Over Calls For Women To Condemn Harvey Weinstein

'Why should Meryl Streep speak out, but not, say, Tom Cruise?'
Film producer and executive Harvey Weinstein has been accused of sexual harassment
Film producer and executive Harvey Weinstein has been accused of sexual harassment
Jon Blacker / Reuters

A number of female stars have hit back at calls for women in Hollywood to condemn Harvey Weinstein, asking why men too should not stand up and denounce the Oscar-winning film producer.

Last week, the New York Times alleged that over the course of three decades, Weinstein had made eight settlements with women who had accused him of unwanted physical contact and sexual harassment.

In the wake of the news, a series of female A-listers who had starred in his movies were criticised for failing to censure the 65-year-old, who had been one of Hollywood’s biggest power brokers.

“Meryl Streep, Nicola Kidman and Gwyneth Paltrow, who have all won Oscars for starring in Weinstein films, have made no public comment,” one story on MailOnline read.

“The three women have also been happy to provide interviewers and reporters profiling Weinstein with sound bites and quotes about their affinity for the exec.”

A MailOnline story criticised female stars for failing to denounce the Hollywood power broker
A MailOnline story criticised female stars for failing to denounce the Hollywood power broker
Mail Online

Now, a number of female celebrities - as well as activists and writers - have hit out at such comments for their “insidious double standards”.

Sharing a tweet about the issue, actor and producer Jessica Chastain wrote: “I’m sick of the media demanding only women speak up.

“What about men? Perhaps many are afraid to look at their own behaviour...”

Yes. Im sick of the media demanding only women speak up. What about the men? Perhaps many are afraid to look at their own behavior..... https://t.co/tGUsjUYNMR

— Jessica Chastain (@jes_chastain) October 9, 2017

Former Charmed star Rose McGowan and Carina McKenzie, who pens TV shows in the US, also spoke out about the issue, with McGowan calling on men to be “allies”:

Rose McGowan criticised some male stars for not publicly condemning Weinstein
Rose McGowan criticised some male stars for not publicly condemning Weinstein
Twitter

Women fight on. And to the men out there, stand up. We need you as allies. #bebrave

— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) October 5, 2017

Harvey set a tone in this industry & there are a thousand men who have been taught it’s ok to follow in his footsteps.

— Carina MacKenzie (@cadlymack) October 7, 2017

But you know who is also complicit? EVERY man who sees it and laughs. Or shrugs it off. Or says, “You know he’s kidding, right?”

— Carina MacKenzie (@cadlymack) October 7, 2017

Women need men to stand up for us, or at least to stand behind us. BE THE GUY WHO OFFERS TO MAKE A SCENE FOR A WOMAN SO SHE DOESN’T HAVE TO.

— Carina MacKenzie (@cadlymack) October 7, 2017

Meanwhile, Better Call Saul writer Gennifer Hutchison wrote on Twitter: “It’s usually not safe for women to speak out against an abuser. Women are often not believed and punished for speaking out.

“So... the best way for men to help is to use their privilege to support women. Believe women when they tell you this happened.

“Take action against the abuser ― don’t cover it up. Don’t make excuses. Don’t say stuff like ‘but what about his career?’ He’s responsible.

She continued: “The biggest thing though? Confront other men when it’s just you dudes alone talking and they say shit like ‘grab them by the p***y’.

“Even if it’s uncomfortable or scary. You have to call the shit out when these dudes feel they’re ‘safe’. If you don’t, you are condoning it.”

Hillary Clinton is apparently responsible for Harvey Weinstein, her husband, and Donald Trump. Are men ever responsible for what they do?

— Jill Filipovic (@JillFilipovic) October 8, 2017

This is such an insidious double standard. Why should Meryl Streep speak out, but not, say, Tom Cruise? https://t.co/iAw8Zw6GSr

— Helen Lewis (@helenlewis) October 7, 2017

Twitter has gone from criticizing Meryl Streep for not speaking out to criticizing her for not condemning Weinstein “correctly.”

— Molly (@isteintraum) October 9, 2017

Honestly, fuck this. I’m so sick of women getting blamed for what men do, being forced to speak out, and then being criticized for THAT too.

— Molly (@isteintraum) October 9, 2017

Actor Mark Ruffalo was among the men who have spoken out against Weinstein, accusing him of a “disgusting abuse of power”.

Meanwhile, Seth Rogen wrote on Twitter: “I believe all the women coming forward about Harvey Weinstein’s sexual harassment. It takes bravery to do so.”

Yesterday, it was announced that Weinstein - who produced and distributed Oscar-winning movies including Shakespeare in Love and Chicago - had been fired as co-chairman of his business, the Weinstein Co, following the allegations.

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