January 1, Cancel Culture Takes Aim at Mark Hamill

Star Wars actor Mark Hamill is facing backlash on social media after giving a “like” to a tweet by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling that some users deemed “transphobic.”

Hamill, who portrayed Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars movies, was trending on Twitter after fans noticed that he liked a tweet from Rowling, who was responding to a critic. Rowling has long been the center of controversy for her views on transgender people, saying she supports them but doesn’t support changing gender-specific language or drastic gender-altering surgeries for minors.

Rowling was responding to a tweet from India Willoughby, a transgender news broadcaster based in the U.K. Willoughby, who was born male, had claimed to be “more of a woman” than Rowling will ever be.

“Citation needed,” Rowling tweeted in response.

Citation needed. pic.twitter.com/phsneRp9hZ

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 22, 2023

Hamill was soon the center of backlash, with fans accusing him of liking a “transphobic” tweet and supporting Rowling’s “transphobic hate crusade.”

Mark Hamill likes a tweet of J.K. Rowling and the internet loses their minds as usual. Claiming he has done this once before so this isn’t an accident and he obviously supports transphobia.

These people need to go outside more… pic.twitter.com/G09uPjzyQs

— MasteroftheTDS (@MasteroftheTDS) January 23, 2023

Pop culture outlet We Got This Covered published an article about Hamill’s “like,” entitled “We regret to inform you Mark Hamill has liked one of J.K. Rowling’s transphobic tweets.”

“Considering how often Hamill has been seen as a progressive icon and an LGBTQ+ ally, it’s disconcerting to see him (as well as many, many other big names) continue to allow Rowling’s opinion the time of day and also seems to support it,” the outlet wrote.

However, former DC Comics creator Ethan Van Sciver came to Hamill’s defense, writing: “Trans person viciously slanders the beautiful, feminine, wise and talented [Rowling] for no particular reason. JK says ‘prove it’ and Mark Hamill hits LIKE. Now vicious, mentally ill scum are targeting Hamill. I hope he can squirm his way out of this temporary bout of sanity!”

The 71-year-old actor later took to Twitter to explain his reasons for liking the tweet.

“What I ‘liked’ about this exchange was someone speaking their truth to power. Twitter is, unfortunately, no place for nuance,” Hamill tweeted. “It’s imperative I make this abundantly clear: I support human rights for EVERYONE, regardless of their gender identity, PERIOD.”

What I "liked" about this exchange was someone speaking their truth to power. 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. https://t.co/eqQxuaZiss

— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) January 24, 2023

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Source: Fox News