Adele slams gender neutral gong at 2022 Brit Awards

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Right-Wing Media Manufactures Fake Outrage Cycle Over Adele

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What are we outraged about today, folks?

Right-wing media and Fox News added to their long history of manufacturing news cycles out of fake outrage this week by pretending the “woke mob” was attempting to “cancel” pop superstar Adele for expressing her love of womanhood.

In the end, all of the supposed backlash to Adele’s remarks boiled down to a handful of tweets from obscure accounts—some of whom were obviously joking.

During Tuesday night’s Brit Awards in London, the “Easy on Me” singer collected the trophy for Artist of the Year. As this is the first year the Brits ditched the Best Male and Female Artist awards for a singular gender-neutral prize, Adele drew cheers for expressing pride that a woman had won it.

“I understand why the name of this award has changed, but I really love being a woman and being a female artist. I do,” she exclaimed. “I’m really proud of us, I really, really am!”

While in the real world her comments drew scant attention, conservative media outlets went digging online for outrage from the LGBTQ+ community and overly sensitive liberals and found, well, not very much.

But that didn’t stop them from claiming Adele had been “slammed” for telling the gender-neutral award show she loves “being a woman.”

Page Six apparently got the ball rolling on Wednesday morning, stating that the singer’s comments made her “the latest high-profile figure accused of being a TERF, or trans-exclusionary radical feminist.”

The proof was a single tweet from a self-described “performer” and “total attention seeker” with a few thousand followers who wrote: “Please, no, ADELE can’t be a TERF.” (The person has since made their Twitter account private.)

The article also pointed to another “long-time Twitter user” who posted an obviously sarcastic tweet wondering who would “have thought Adele was a transphobe and would use her platform to call for the destruction of the trans community.”

A slew of similar articles soon followed from other conservative outlets and tabloids, including OutKick, Fox News Digital, Newsweek, The Federalist, and the New York Post, among others.

After the right-wing media ecosphere had set its narrative that Adele was taking heat from the trans community and progressives, it was only a matter of time before Fox News began running on-air segments about the faux controversy. And the network obliged on Thursday morning.

“The woke mob going after Adele. Her crime? Saying she loves being a woman. What’s wrong with that?! We’ll tell you straight ahead,” Fox News anchor Dana Perino teased on America’s Newsroom.

Perino and co-anchor Bill Hemmer then interviewed New York Post editor Maureen Callahan on her piece celebrating Adele’s speech and decrying the so-called backlash the artist had received.

“Safe to say ‘I am Woman/Hear Me Roar,’ would never be recorded today,” Callahan wrote in her piece. “Just ask Adele, best selling artist in the world, savior of a dying industry, now the woke mob’s latest target.”

“Well, Adele sparking serious backlash after that comment,” Hemmer noted during the interview. “Critics are lobbing attacks at her saying she is proud to be a woman. Some people have her back, including Maureen Callahan.”

Perino, meanwhile, compared Adele to Harry Potter novelist J.K. Rowling, who has actually drawn fire from critics over her stand on trans issues. At the same time, Perino—seemingly by accident—revealed that maybe this was much ado about nothing on their end.

“But I also wonder how big is this mob, anyway? It might feel like it is loud on Twitter,” she said. “I feel like there are many more people who agree with her than don’t. They are just quiet about it. They aren’t on Twitter or Snapchat or wherever they might be complaining.”

A couple of hours later, on Fox News’ midday panel show Outnumbered, the hosts devoted another entire segment to the left’s purported cancellation of the multi-platinum songstress.

“Adele getting blasted over her acceptance speech all because she said she loves being a woman,” co-host Emily Compagno claimed. “Why some are now calling her transphobic.”

“People on social media were outraged. Some calling her a trans-exclusionary radical feminist,” anchor Harris Faulkner added.

Finally, not to be outdone, embattled podcaster Joe Rogan—who has called the trans community a “crazy radical cult” and targeted trans athletes with smear campaigns—also fell for the fake outrage, taking the opportunity once again to mock the use of non-gendered pronouns.

“She should be tolerant, and just be like them only! And only think like them—the ‘they/them’ people. She should only be like them,” he smirked during his most recent podcast.

Yet, as Media Matter’s LGBTQ program director Ari Dennen noted Thursday afternoon on Twitter, there just wasn’t any legitimate anger or resentment toward Adele expressed by trans people after the awards show.

“I spent way too much of my morning trying to find a single trans person on the internet who was upset about Adele saying that she loves being a woman,” she stated. “I could not. This story is 100% manufactured outrage by a right-wing media fixated on turning the public against trans people.”

Video: Adele labelled transphobic and a “terf” on Twitter

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While accepting the prestigious award, she addressed the gender-neutral awards saying she understood why the name of the award had changed, but she “really loves being a woman”. The Easy On Me hitmaker is now being labelled transphobic and was referred to as a “terf” by a Twitter user.

“terf” an acronym for a trans-exclusionary radical feminist.

In December 2021, the BRITs announced that the awards would be gender-neutral, highlighting that the decision was made to make the awards as inclusive as possible. For the first time, the BRITs had no female and male categories.

In a statement, BRITs chair, Tom March expressed the importance of inclusivity at the awards.

“It feels completely the right time to celebrate the achievements of artists for the music that they create and the word they do, irrespective of gender,” said March.

During Adele’s acceptance speech, she said she was not expecting the award at all and also congratulated rapper Little Simz on her Best New Act win.

The 33-year-old songstress also addressed the gender-neutral awards in her speech.

“I understand why the name of this award has changed, but I really love being a woman and being a female artist. I do!” “I’m really proud of us, I really am,” she concluded.

Reacting to her Artist of the Year win at the BRITs, One Twitter user labelled Adele a “terf”. According to Insider, “terf” is an acronym for a trans-exclusionary radical feminist.

The tweep, who has since made their account private, tweeted: “Please, no, Adele can’t be a TERF. That last comment, though ambiguous, could be perceived as TERF-y. Please no.”

Other Tweeps defended Adele being labelled a “terf”.

“Calling Adele a terf for saying she is proud to be a woman in music is absolutely ridiculous and shows just how this country loves cancelling people at the top of their game,” wrote one tweep. “The best thing about the Adele situation is that it shows that all any woman has to do to be called a terf is acknowledge her own sex.”

Calling Adele a TERF(?!) for saying she is proud to be a Woman in music is absolutely ridiculous and shows just how this country loves cancelling people at the top of their game. Adele has always been an ally to the LGBTQI+ community. You lot are just bored and hate her success. — Bally Singh (@putasinghonit) February 9, 2022

The best thing about the Adele situation is that it shows that all any woman has to do to be called a “terf” is acknowledge her own sex. It exposes how low the bar is & how high the cost is for a woman who speaks the truth without first considering if deranged men are OK with it. — TheFamousArtistBirdyRose (@TheFamousArtBR) February 9, 2022 Play GK quiz, increase your knowledge & WIN 📚

Piers Morgan backs Adele as she’s slammed after winning gender-neutral Brit Award and saying ‘I love being a woman’

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PIERS Morgan has shown his support for Adele, after she came under fire for saying she “loves being a woman” as she picked up a gender-neutral Brit Award on Tuesday evening.

The crooner, 33, was accused by some angry social media users for being a TERF, a trans-exclusionary radical feminist – leaving Piers gobsmacked.

4 Adele said she loved being a woman as she picked up one of her Brits

4 Piers Morgan showed his support after she came under fire Credit: The Mega Agency

The 56-year-old Sun columnist shared a post from the New York Times with the headline: “Adele slammed for telling gender-neutral award show she loves ‘being a woman’.”

Hitting back at those who called Adele out, he raged: “FFS.. When people ask me, ‘what’s your new show going to be about?’, the answer is that, among other things, it’s going to be about me cancelling the woke imbeciles who think it’s OK to bully and terrorise women into denying their own existence.”

Piers is set to front a show on talkTV, which is launching this Spring – and plans for it to be no holds barred.

He had previously has pulled no punches in accusing Adele of letting down her fans by axing her Vegas shows at the last minute.

He also memorably insisted that the singer has “disappeared up her rapidly diminishing celebrity backside” – and said the fact she was playing at the Brits was a “miracle”.

On Tuesday night, Adele told fans at London’s O2 Arena that she “understands” why the academy has this year scrapped male and female categories at the ceremony.

But, she singled out fellow female nominee, rapper Little Simz, for praise.

The Brits academy faced pressure to do away with its male and female-specific awards this year and has scrapped gendered categories, introducing gender-neutral gongs in their place.

Taking to the stage to accept the prize for artist of the year, Adele said: “I want to say a massive congratulations to Little Simz. I’ve got so much love for you.”

Ed Sheeran, Sam Fender and rapper Dave were also nominated for the gong.

She added: “Dave, Ed, Sam, I am so proud to be in your company. I love being an artist, I really do, and I genuinely can’t believe it is my job.

“And real artistry, I know I have spoken about it before, but there are so many new artists here. England, the UK, we have so many incredible new young artists coming up.

“Never lose sight of why you are who you are. The reason people are into you is because of something you have in you. Don’t let go of that ever.

“And also, I understand why the name of this award has changed but I really love being a woman and being a female artist. I do. I am really proud of us.”

4 Adele performed and picked up three gongs at the Brits Credit: Getty

Mj Rodriguez Makes History As First Trans Actress to Win a Golden Globe

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Mj Rodriguez is now a history-making actress! On Sunday, the Pose star, whose full name is Michaela Jaé, became the first trans woman to win a Golden Globe. The 31-year-old snagged a win in the Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series –Drama category for her role as Blanca Evangelista in the FX series.

Rodriguez celebrated the news on Instagram.

“OMG OMGGG!!!! @goldenglobes Wow! You talking about sickening birthday present! Thank you! This is the door that is going to Open the door for many more young talented individuals,” she wrote next to the official announcement photo. “They will see that it is more than possible. They will see that a young Black Latina girl from Newark New Jersey who had a dream, to change the minds others would WITH LOVE. LOVE WINS. To my young LGBTQAI babies WE ARE HERE the door is now open now reach the stars!!!!! @goldenglobes To the nominees we are Queens. I’m so happy to share space with you! Each and every last one of you women are phenomenal.”

The 2022 Golden Globes ceremony was not broadcast live due to the backlash that came with the lack of diversity on the HFPA. As a result, Rodriguez couldn’t give a televised speech, so she went live on Instagram.

“Number 1, thank you Golden Globes. This is for the LGBTQAI Black, Latina, Asian, the many multi-colors of the beautiful rainbow around the freaking world,” she exclaimed. “This is not just for me, this is for y’all. This is the door that opens for y’all. Not me. For y’all. There’s gonna be so many young, talented, thriving individuals that are going to be able to trail in and storm in through the door.”

Rodriguez went on to thank Pose series creator, Ryan Murphy. “Thank you for actually seeing me,” she said, also thanking the show’s writers and her fellow castmates, including Dominique Jackson, Angelica Ross and Indya Moore.

Ross was just as excited, posting to Instagram, “BLANCA!!!!!!!!!! Shouting congratulations to the incomparable @mjrodriguez7!!! Since season one you have been leading our family our cast with such heart and skill. Let’s celebrate!!! #goldenglobes #posefx.”

Laverne Cox also posted a lengthy congratulatory message for Rodriguez. “I am so incredibly PROUD tonight to celebrate my sister @mjrodriguez7 who made history tonight as the first trans actress to win at the #GoldenGlobes for her iconic work on @poseonfx. You are the dream realized my beautiful sister,” the Orange Is the New Black star wrote. “You are overflowing with talent the world has yet to see the full breath of. Your work ethic and dedication to the craft is exemplary. Everyone out there who now has been inspired to dream the dream because of Michaela Jae please know that this is the result of years of struggle, rejection, hard work, perseverance, taking pain and making it into art and an abundance of natural talent that has been carefully cultivated and nurtured. Girl you are my sister but I feel like a proud mama tonight. Bask in it. Be fully present in this moment if you can. I love you so much!!!! Her birthday was Friday. What a birthday present, a history making Golden Globe Award!!! #TransIsBeautiful”

Rodriguez previously made history as the first trans woman nominated for a lead actor Emmy. At the time, she told ET what it meant to snag to historic nomination.

“I really have taken the moment to understand this is for not just me,” she said. “But for a community that a lot of people never really understood.”

Pose ran on FX for three seasons before wrapping in 2020. For more on the show, watch the video below.

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Matt Doran, and what we actually want from human beings who make mistakes.

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On a Sunday in mid-November last year, an article was published in the Good Weekend about the social media campaign that ‘almost killed’ Hugh Sheridan.

“They cancelled me as a human,” Sheridan said, referring to the backlash that had struck a year earlier against the actor’s casting as the lead in the musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

Sheridan told reporter James Button about the “horrific messages” they (Sheridan now identifies as non-binary) started to receive on Instagram. Members of the trans community had penned an open letter calling for them to be dropped from the role, arguing it should be played by a trans actor. But despite the American creators of the show confirming that Hedwig was not a trans character, and could be played by anyone, the Australian producers cancelled the show.

In the year that followed, Sheridan shared that they were attracted to both men and women, and that they identify as non-binary. In that time, Sheridan was hospitalised to undergo mental health treatment, triggered by the Hedwig controversy.

Of course, there was a point to be made about trans representation, and about the inarguable dominance of white men in media and the arts. But when that mutated into a campaign against Hugh - the flesh and blood human being - the logic dissipated. You had a person who had morphed into an ideology. A person who now functioned as a stand-in for everything society gets wrong about inclusion, equality and diversity.

Surely there was a lesson in the Hugh Sheridan story.

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