Alyus The Amazing

Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty; Murray Close/Warner Bros.   Why I Wrote This Letter to John Lithgow When I heard rumors that John Lithgow might be cast as Albus Dumbledore in a future Harry Potter project, I felt heartbreak instead of joy. As a trans man who has admired Lithgow’s work my entire life, the idea of him aligning with a franchise whose creator has caused so much harm to the trans community felt personal. This letter is not a take-down. It’s a respectful, heartfelt plea - from one artist to another. I wrote it because I believe in accountability, but also in compassion. Because I know how much good Lithgow has done through his roles, and how important it is that we continue to tell the truth, even when it’s hard. Below is my open letter. I hope it reaches the heart it was written for.  

 Benevolent Misogyny in Pop Culture: How "Nice Guy" Syndrome Reinforces Sexism Men who claim to love and respect women but are actually misogynistic often fall into the category of benevolent misogyny —a subtler, more insidious form of sexism masked as admiration or protection. Basically, the rom-com version of a red flag. It’s the sweet-talking, door-holding, woman-"respecting" guy who somehow always ends up making the decisions, hogging the spotlight, or flipping the script the second a woman steps out of line. It’s not always loud or aggressive. In fact, that’s the point. This brand of sexism wears a polite smile, quotes a Rupi Kaur poem, and still manages to treat women like supporting characters in its personal growth narrative. These men may outwardly express support for women while still upholding patriarchal values that limit women’s autonomy, reinforce traditional gender roles, or subtly devalue women’s voices. This subtle form of sexism has been a stap...