LGBTQ activist George Takei calls Kevin Spacey’s response to sexual assault allegations a deflection
Star Trek star and LGBTQ activist George Takei has responded to sexual assault allegations made against Kevin Spacey.
In a story posted by BuzzFeed on Sunday, actor Anthony Rapp alleged that Spacey made unwanted sexual advances in 1986 — when Rapp was only 14.
And he explained that he decided to come forward now because of the many women speaking out about sexual harassment and assault in the entertainment industry, following numerous allegations made against producer Harvey Weinstein.
Spacey responded to the article, posting a statement to Twitter in which he writes that he has no memory of the alleged incident, but apologizes if he did behave as Rapp describes. He also announced that he chooses “now to live as a gay man.”
In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Takei — a prominent figure in the LGBTQ community — expressed his sympathy to Rapp for the trauma endured and condemned the abuse of power.
"When power is used in a non-consensual situation, it is a wrong," Takei said. "For Anthony Rapp, he has had to live with the memory of this experience of decades ago. For Kevin Spacey, who claims not to remember the incident, he was the older, dominant one who had his way."
He also, in so many words, addressed Spacey’s statement: “Men who improperly harass or assault do not do so because they are gay or straight — that is a deflection,” Takei continued. “They do so because they have the power, and they chose to abuse it.”
Additionally, Takei tweeted that “the timing of [Spacey’s] announcement has raised some eyebrows, to be sure.”
The timing of this announcement has raised some eyebrows, to be sure. https://t.co/C3laoxYKhA
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) October 30, 2017
Our thoughts are with Rapp during this difficult time. And thank you to George Takei, for speaking out about these horrific abuses.
