The Miller debacle seems to be moving in the Flash of an eye, and to add to the discourse, we have yet another topic of contention.
Miller was one of the first few celebrities who came out as non-binary. Identifying as they/them, Ezra was considered a fashion icon as they expressed their gender non-conformity through androgynous outfits.
While some accepted their gender identity, some speculated they were, in fact, transgender. But here’s why this assumption could harm the trans-visibility movement.
The Flash actor once enjoyed a beloved fandom, which came crashing down in 2020 when the allegations surfaced.
Ezra Miller Grooming Scandal
Miller was a household name and a fan favorite among children with the Flash character, while young adults related to them with The Perks of Being a Wallflower movie. Overall, they had a major impact on the younger demographic.
Amidst these, an 18-year-old non-binary Gibson Iron Eyes accused Miller of brainwashing and isolating them from their parents. Meanwhile, another parent filed a complaint for grooming their 12-year-old kid.
Miller is accused of multiple assaults on women.
Several women have come forward with actual physical assault by Miller. From visual evidence to real testimonies, these allegations had strong cases to be ignored.
Apart from these, they were arrested several times for aggressive public behavior, theft, disorderly conduct, harassment, and second-degree assault. Within a span of two years, Ezra completely annihilated their reputation with punishable offenses.
Yet surprisingly, the repercussions never gained as much traction. Thanks to Hollywood’s S.H.I.E.L.D., Ezra’s crimes were shrugged under the rug. As a woman creator, Issa Rae puts this controversy as “Hollywood’s Microcosm” — she believes that shielding repeated offenders is a giant setback for the #MeToo movement.
Is Ezra Miller, a Trans Person? Is It Problematic to the Community?
The answer is a straight NO. Miller is not trans, nor have they ever specified this in any interview.
By accurate definition of a transgender: A person whose gender identity or gender expression does not correspond to the sex they were assigned at birth. In a 2018 interview, Ezra clearly mentioned they neither identify as a man nor as a woman; they are simply queer.
Now that it is established, putting Ezra in the transgender box perpetuates harmful stereotypes against transgenders. In recent years, the conservative activism for anti-transgender has stemmed from fallacies against women’s safety. With a famous & influential billionaire like J.K. Rowling leading the “trans-women are not real women” propaganda, they use the criminal card to justify their bigotry.
Ezra’s case will only further these prejudices if they are considered transgender. Especially trans women who are seen as a threat to children and women are also deemed mentally unstable.
Ezra has mentioned in the apology that they have intense mental health issues as a reason for their past behavior. The TERFs (trans-exclusionary radical feminists) have always harped on this argument that transgender is actually a mental disability. In short, keep Ezra Miller’s name away from the transgender community.
Ezra Miller’s The Flash is all set to premiere on June 16, 2023, in your nearest theatres.
What are your thoughts on this?
Is assuming someone’s gender based on appearance an honest mistake in this current atmosphere? Will Ezra Miller face the consequences of their actions? Or are we accepting them as our Flash?
Let us know your stance on this in the comments below.