Alice Eve is feeling the heat after claiming that Bruce Jenner is “playing at being a woman.”
The “Star Trek: Into Darkness” actress made the controversial claim on her Instagram page in response to the former Olympian’s interview with Diane Sawyer, in which he confirmed that he is transitioning to become a woman.
Eve initially blasted Jenner in an attempt to argue for equal rights and wage equality.
“If you were a woman no one would have heard of you because woman can’t compete in the decathlon,” she wrote Monday, referring to Jenner’s heralded gold medal victory at the 1976 Olympic Games.
“You would be a frustrated young athlete who wasn’t given a chance,” she continued. “Until women are paid the same as men, then playing at being a ‘woman’ while retaining the benefits of a man is unfair.
“Do you have a vagina? Are you paid less than men, Then, my friend, you are a woman,” Eve concluded.
After receiving backlash on social media, the 33-year-old actress attempted to clarify her comments.
“I’m not saying by identifying they are negatively impacting feminism,” she wrote.
“I am saying that we have to refine the language on this topic so all men, women and transgenders are accurately represented in their process of self-identification.”
Eve also thanked social media users for discussing the topic with and broadening her perspective.
//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js
“Maybe this needs a little thought. I felt confused and now I feel enlightened and like I know what education I need to move forward.”
Eve deleted the original post slamming Jenner and posted a photo of David Bowie as his androgynous 1970s persona Ziggy Stardust, in which she wrote, “I am a supporter of anyone who wishes to explore their gender identity” and has issued a statement.
“I deeply apologize for offending anyone. I support equal rights and equal dignity for all. I have a deep compassion and support for Bruce Jenner,” she explains to the Daily News through her rep. “My intention was not to offend. My intention was simply to express that, with the overdue and welcome acceptance of us all living on a gender spectrum, we must encourage equality for all.”
In an emotional interview watched by nearly 17 million viewers, Jenner told Diane Sawyer that he that he was transgender and was gradually transitioning to living his life as a woman.
“I have the soul of a woman,” he said. “For all intents and purposes, I am a woman.”
ON A MOBILE DEVICE? WATCH THE VIDEO HERE.
