Indya Moore, one of the transgender actresses on the hit show Pose, was harassed on Twitter by comedian D.L. Hughley. Hughley referred to Moore as a ‘pussy.’
What happened?
It all started when Moore called out comedian Kevin Hart for his homophobic jokes upon the announcement that he would be hosting the 2019 Oscars.
Not only are you sexualizing your son, but your pursuit to “prevent” your child from being “gay” is fear driven. You ARE homophobic Kevin. I GET IT! BEING VILIFIED IS WACK! Truthfully, I AM VERY CONCERNED with how you will attempt to police your CHILD’s sexuality. pic.twitter.com/NRJxIrRjSk
— IAM (@IndyaMoore) December 6, 2018
You @KevinHart4real are NOT FIT a model, or representative to Host for the @TheAcademy which CELEBRATES & WELCOMES talent of all genders, sexualities, & ethnicitieas. you frequently reveal yourself to occupy the malevolence you treat people who don’t sexually exist like you as.
— IAM (@IndyaMoore) December 6, 2018
Being a trans woman, standing up for LGBTI rights is an important cause to Moore.
I love @KevinHart4real he makes me laugh, while I am not gay, i understand that homophobia is accompanied by transphobia. One of the worse things I’ve experienced in my life of 23 years is to be hated, rejected, & the butt of the joke by the family & community I loved & came from
— IAM (@IndyaMoore) December 7, 2018
Hart was quick to respond via Instagram. However, he stopped short of officially apologizing. Then, he stepped down as the Oscars host.
Post-Kevin Hart
Still, this wasn’t enough. Many people were quick to defend Hart, including Nick Cannon. Moore showed no signs of ending this conversation, though.
Yeah well, black people need to stop acting like the intersections between racism and homophobia don’t exist. Colonialism weaponized God to affirm the narcissistic “manifest destiny” when you are gay and black it’s like you not black anymore https://t.co/Euq7hD01dN
— IAM (@IndyaMoore) December 7, 2018
brothers like @KevinHart4real need to use their priviledge to undo ideas that are putting us in isolation, foster care & graves just for existing. We need to stop using God to justify hate & violence. no matter how you translate the bible that intention isn’t holy, or positive.
— IAM (@IndyaMoore) December 7, 2018
When black cis het celebrities mention lgbtq people it’s either violent/mocking or sorry. We’re rarely mentioned w. the intention of creating solidarity & unconditional love between fans, families & friends. Our mention os usually something that exacerbates our vulnerability.
— IAM (@IndyaMoore) December 7, 2018
Moore pointed out the homophobia and transphobia specifically perpetuated by the black community, and how it harms the most vulnerable.
Police killin cis het and trans black and brown men and women and trans people in the front lines, but then ya wanna bully us and make us the butt of your jokes. This is an issue w. many comedians especially black comedians. If you gotta be a bully to make people laugh you wack.
— IAM (@IndyaMoore) December 7, 2018
D.L. Hughley
But none of these valid and important points stopped comedians like D.L. Hughley.
‘I think jokes are jokes and no one is above them nothing more nothing less,’ Hughley tweeted at Moore.
‘The psychological impact of a JOKE is detrimental not only to the mental health of the individual who is the comedic subject but also their physical safety,’ Moore responded. ‘Comedy is a excruciatingly poor justification for being a biggot [sic].’
‘I make a living doing what love, put kids through college, paid for my homes, and travel the world, and still don’t give a shit what a pussy like u thinks,’ Hughley retorted.
Indya Moore’s strength
Even this verbal harassment didn’t stop Moore from standing up for her community.
STOP USING COMEDY AND FREE SPEECH TO JUSTIFY BIGGOTRY. YOU DON’T GET TO JUSTIFY THE AUTONOMY OVER YOUR OPINION WHEN YOU ARE DEBATING MY BODY, SEXUALITY OR BULLYING PEOPLE TO MAKE OTHER PEOPLE SMILE. THAT’S TOXIC, NARCISSISTIC, DANGEROUS & V I O L E N T.
— IAM (@IndyaMoore) December 7, 2018
unpacking the subtext of 55 year old @RealDLHughley calling me, a 23 year old black trans woman with a life expectancy of 35 a pussy on twitter for standing up to him in account of his complacency of comedic bigotry and how that impacts peoples is excruciating laborsome.
— IAM (@IndyaMoore) December 8, 2018
pussy’s are warm and have depth balls don’t do anything but hang outside and shrivel up when it gets cold.
I wouldn’t compare people to genitals if i were you.
#redefining mysophobic insults.
Good morning!!
— IAM (@IndyaMoore) December 9, 2018
finally, we exist during a time where people are now thinking twice & can experience being fearful of being homophobic. Where men can experience being fearful of approaching women the wrong way.
I see a future where Lgbtq & women will no longer live in fear, but in strength.— IAM (@IndyaMoore) December 9, 2018
Moore’s resilience in the face of hatred and bigotry did not go unnoticed. Many on Twitter thanked Moore for her outspokenness on these issues.
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