Jared Leto Heckled, Accused of 'Trans-Misogyny' at Santa Barbara Event

[Jesus Malverde]

The "Dallas Buyers Club" star engaged in a back-and-forth with an audience member at the fest — and earned big applause for his response.

Jared Leto came under fire from a heckler Tuesday, who said the Dallas Buyers Club actor didn't deserve to be honored for his work in the film.

"Trans-misogyny does not deserve an award," said the unidentified woman, who attended the Santa Barbara International Film Festival's Virtuosos Award tribute honoring Leto and three others who gave breakthrough performances in 2013.

"What do you mean by that?" Leto asked, to which the heckler said, "You don't deserve an award for portraying a trans-woman, because you're a man."

"Because I'm a man, I don't deserve to play that part?" Leto asked, rhetorically. "So you would hold a role against someone who happened to be gay or lesbian — they can't play a straight part?"

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jared-leto-heckled-accused-trans-677290

[William769]

1. What an asshole!

[stevenleser]

2. The heckler or Leto? I have to admit to being confused about this and who is

saying bad things to whom. I'd be grateful to anyone who can explain what went on here.

[Jesus Malverde]

3. Some Background...

There have been some other public criticisms of Leto's casting. Writing on Salon, Chelsea Hawkins said: "Given that transgender people are invisible in contemporary media, it becomes problematic that Leto is taking the role of a trans person when there are trans actors out there trying to find roles and work … the stories of under-represented, oft-ignored and misunderstood communities may be best told by the people who live those lives." She highlights trans actors such as Laverne Cox from Orange is the New Black and Independent Spirit Award-nominated Harmony Santana, and argues that they need parts like Leto's.

Paris Lees, writing in the Independent, meanwhile said "Rayon isn't a person, she's a function … For truly accurate portrayals of trans people, cast trans actors."

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/feb/05/jared-leto-heckled-trans-misogyny-dallas-buyers-club

There might also have be some confusion in his response between gender and sexual orientation.