John Cleese says he's 'not that interested in trans folk' when questioned about his support for J.K. Rowling
- In a series of Tweets, "Monty Python" actor John Cleese defended J.K. Rowling, telling his followers that he is "not that interested in trans folks."
- The 81-year-old comedian said that he hopes trans people are "happy and that people treat them kindly," but he is more interested in "threats to democracy in America, the rampant corruption in the UK, the appalling British Press, the revelations about police brutality."
- When challenged on his views, Cleese doubled down. In response to one Tweet, he said: "Deep down, I want to be a Cambodian policewoman. Is that allowed, or am I being unrealistic?"
John Cleese told fans on Twitter he was "not that interested" in trans people when pressed about his recent support of "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling, who has caused controversy for her comments on the trans community.
The 81-year-old comedian, best known for his "Monty Python" roles, wrote Sunday: "I'm afraid I'm not that interested in trans folks.
"I just hope they're happy and that people treat them kindly. Right now I'm more focused on threats to democracy in America, the rampant corruption in the UK, the appalling British Press, the revelations about police brutality..."
Later when challenged on his views, Cleese went further and replied: "Deep down, I want to be a Cambodian policewoman. Is that allowed, or am I being unrealistic?"
Another person asked Cleese whether he could show some compassion or sympathy for marginalized people to which he replied: "Oh I do sympathy and support all the time, for most of the Third world. Except for Glasgow, of course. I exclude all wokes, of course.
"I hope they fry in their own sanctimoniousness and narcissistic posturing. Until they get a sense of perspective, that is..."
Earlier this summer, Cleese lent his name to a letter published in The Sunday Times in support of Rowling after she was widely condemned and accused of transphobia over a series of tweets where she expressed her opinions on gender identity.
The list of 58 signatories included many high-profile writers and artists, and at the time Cleese tweeted that he was "Proud to be in the distinguished company of Ian McEwan, Andrew Davies, Frances Welch, Lionel Shriver, Ben Miller, Tom Stoppard, Frances Barber, Griff Rhys-Jones and Matthew d'Ancona."
J.K. Rowling vehemently denies that she is transphobic.
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