George Takei slams Chappell Roan for saying “both sides” of the election are the same
Out pop star Chappell Roan is getting flak on social media for comments she made about how she believes that “both sides” – that is, both Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump – “have problems” and therefore she won’t be publicly endorsing anyone in the election.
And out actor George Takei had a few words for her.
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“I was so angry that I spoke to the press for the first time as a gay man at the age of 68.”
In an interview with The Guardian, Roan said that she has “so many issues with our government in every way.”
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“There are so many things that I would want to change,” she said. “So I don’t feel pressured to endorse someone. There’s problems on both sides.”
“I encourage people to use your critical thinking skills, use your vote – vote small, vote for what’s going on in your city.”
The issue for a lot of people responding to her online is that “both sides” is a common refrain used to prevent critical examination of an election, often by wealthy centrists who have little stake in policy outcomes. Political columnists like third-party centrist Thomas Friedman and “moderate icon” David Broder made careers out of complaining about “both sides.”
Takei decided to respond on social media by pointing out that he doesn’t believe LGBTQ+ people are in a position to act like Republicans are just as good as Democrats on important issues.
“If you’re a high profile figure in the LGBTQ+ community, you need to take stand in this election. Both sidesing it when our community is under direct attack from the GOP is an irresponsible cop out,” he wrote.
If you’re a high profile figure in the LGBTQ+ community, you need to take stand in this election. Both sidesing it when our community is under direct attack from the GOP is an irresponsible cop out.— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) September 22, 2024
Others also called her out, while some people supported her.
This is an excessively privileged position to take. We’re gonna win, VP Harris will be elected, and it’s because of the many thousands of staff and volunteers and tens of millions of reasonable adults who understand life under Trump (again) would be horrific for all of us. https://t.co/GzMyDWjxEI— Charlotte Clymer (@cmclymer) September 22, 2024
I’m tired of artists like Chappell Roan profiting off of queer and drag culture and then refusing to do the bare minimum when it comes to standing up for LGBTQ+ rights because she’s probably afraid of getting cancelled by a small portion of the internet or is just uneducated https://t.co/MOhZr3myPp— jack diprimio (@DiprimioJack) September 22, 2024
Chappell roan is an embarrassment to lesbiansYou can't borrow from drag aesthetics and embrace your sexuality and then pretend the party that would criminalize our happiness is the same as the one who protects it. https://t.co/eHbbH2N9LS— Maya Luna (@RealMayaLuna) September 22, 2024
You cannot be part of the House of Colby and have this take. Your mother cannot be a literal target of oppressive conservative agendas and say that you don’t feel pressured. At very least don’t both sides this. JFC. Do not infantilize her either. https://t.co/CevYHDNlUr— Dr. Javi Rodríguez (@Javiplatano) September 22, 2024
Pretty sure there’s only one side painting drag queens out to be pedophiles and trying to outlaw gay marriage and trans people *existing* Such a flop ass answer. The worst kind of political opinion- indifference. https://t.co/vr5SyZExvd— Olivia Julianna (@0liviajulianna) September 22, 2024
How do you feel about tens of thousands of pregnant rape victims forced to carried their rapists’ children to term? LGTBQ+ rights? The future of democracy? The future of the planet? Anything??? https://t.co/esHaPX3q00— Bradley Whitford (@BradleyWhitford) September 23, 2024
chappell roan they will never make me hate you never https://t.co/iTG06jf08o pic.twitter.com/P92VPhrpUu— ⊹˚. ren (@andorlorians) September 23, 2024
she’s literally voting for kamala but doesn’t like her stance on palestine obviously, just like almost everyone on twitter lmao yall need to stfu now https://t.co/FA3QSLFzKq pic.twitter.com/LW2BcPMpe6— ray🩷 (@macselbowdance2) September 22, 2024
i think it’s prettyyy clear that chappell means this in a leftist- she won’t not vote but she hates that kamala still supports israel way and not a borderline republican way- yall just love to hate her https://t.co/vJwf7tA7J1— marie (@sapphicsuburbia) September 22, 2024
Chappell Roan’s ability to be an incredibly refreshing voice of reason one moment and then the most annoying, ignorant, humorless weirdo the next moment really should be studied. https://t.co/HMLGdVhoCv— Andy Herren (@AndyHerren) September 22, 2024
How are you queer, an ardent defender of the drag community and somehow a “both sides are bad” person https://t.co/mzYtYQ0pI4— austin (@jesuissupreme) September 22, 2024
One side wants to ban drag and it’s not Democrats. Hope this helps! https://t.co/WrTeOnQYKU— Kiki Ball-Change (@kikiballchange) September 22, 2024
There is no 'both sides' on LGBTQ+ issues. Donald Trump and J.D. Vance want a government just big enough to fit in our classrooms, our doctor's offices, and our bedrooms. All in an effort to keep us from being our free and authentic queer selves. We are not going back. https://t.co/C0Ud1O4P4f— Sam Alleman (he/him) (@SamAlleman) September 22, 2024
It’s peak liberalism to think voting is just a way to confirm your individual moral character. No. It is one part of a larger political strategy. A Trump presidency will destroy the conditions for an effective leftist popular movement. https://t.co/drc4Kj0KXr— Alexander Avila (@aretheygay) September 22, 2024
we really are witnessing the Rise and the Fall of a Midwest princess aren’t we https://t.co/sEU0NdhYAT— Colyn (@colynelliott) September 22, 2024
Gettin' a little tired of the "problems on both sides" point when one side is actually the worst and blatantly fascist than it's ever been. https://t.co/RZ89m2bTO7— 'Saiah (@Isaplaysgamezgx) September 22, 2024
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