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A heckler challenged Jared Leto at a Santa Barbara International Film Festival's tribute yesterday, accusing the actor of "trans-misogyny" and repeating criticisms that have always hovered over his acclaimed performance in Dallas Buyers Club.
According to The Hollywood Reporter's Aaron Couch, Leto engaged with the woman who said "Trans-misogyny does not deserve an award." The actor, who has won a Golden Globe and a SAG award for his performance, asked the woman what she meant, to which she responded: "You don't deserve an award for portraying a trans-woman, because you're a man." Leto challenged her saying: "So you would hold a role against someone who happened to be gay or lesbian – they can't play a straight part?" The two met after the tribute.
This is far from the first time Leto's performance has been met with a raised eyebrow. In early November Susan Rohwer wrote at the Los Angeles Times: "It is no longer acceptable to cast cross-racially, so why is it acceptable to cast someone who is not transgender in a transgender role?" Meanwhile, the Tumblr Trans Hollywood has published a "A Step By Step Guide through Jared leto's Trans Ignorance."