Actor Will Ferrell claims that his “transphobia” stems from a “lack of self-confidence.”
The 57-year-old comedian said: independent person Ferrell and former “Saturday Night Live” writer Harper Steele travel across the country to talk Thursday about their recent Netflix documentary “Will & Harper,” which follows Steele as she explores her gender transition.
Ferrell said she had no prior knowledge of the transgender community, but has since learned about the dangers of transphobia.
“There's hatred out there,” Ferrell said. “This is very real and in certain situations very dangerous for transgender people.”
Will Ferrell's new documentary “Will & Harper,” featuring former “SNL” writer Harper Steele, was released last week. (Christopher Polk/WWD via Getty Images)
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He also suggested that transphobia arises from “a fear of the unknown.”
“But I don't understand why a transgender person would threaten me, a cis man. I don't understand why Harper would threaten me,” Ferrell said.
He added: “It's so weird to me because Harper was finally…her. She was finally who she was meant to be, whether or not she could wrap her head around it in the end. “Why do you care that someone is happy? Why?” he added. Is it a threat to you? If the trans community is a threat to you, I think it comes from a lack of confidence and safety in yourself. ”
The film's director, Josh Greenbaum, told The Independent that he intended the film to be apolitical, but that there was a deliberate effort to reach an audience more “like” Ferrell. said.
Harper Steele also spoke to The Independent about perceptions of transphobia in the media. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Netflix)
“It would be disingenuous not to point out that we were aware of Will Ferrell's influence,” Greenbaum said. “His fan base is across the spectrum, but he also has a very traditional straight, cis male, fraternal fan base.” [element]. Certainly, on some level, we want to reach that audience. But it was very important to us and to Harper that we also represent the queer community. ”
Steele said transphobia can sometimes come from left-wing media.
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“The New York Times is kind of at the center of it, generally left-leaning, but sometimes very anti-trans. It's weird…” Steele told The Independent. “That's why the first thing I often ask reporters who interview me is if they believe me. Do they believe I exist? Do they believe I'm legitimate? That's not always part of the conversation. I like to start there, because there are a lot of people who, for some reason, in the liberal community don't seem to understand this issue. ”
Will Ferrell and Harper Steele attend the screening of Netflix's 'Will & Harper' at Paris Theater on September 24, 2024 in New York City. (Photo courtesy of Cindy Ord/WireImage) (Photo courtesy of Cindy Ord/WireImage)
“Will & Harper” premiered on Netflix on Friday.
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