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A Trans March on Broadway will happen on September 6 after Cameron Mackintosh’s recent comments calling transgender actors playing cisgender roles “a gimmick.”
The march, organized by actress and activist Sis, follows outrage and backlash from the theatre community after Mackintosh said in an interview with news outlet the Telegraph that he did not think that the title role of Mary Poppins should be played by a trans actor.
“You can’t implant something that is not inherently there in the story or character, that’s what I think. To do that, that becomes gimmick casting. It’s trying to force something that isn’t natural,” Mackintosh said.
Mackintosh later clarified his comments in a Twitter apology, writing “Whether a person is trans has no bearing on their suitability for any role in any of my shows, including Mary Poppins, as long as they can perform the role as written.”
“I am an actor, Mr Mackintosh, not a gimmick,” Billings wrote.
“This is about you and your fear and the fear of many others, but it is not about the Trans community. And whilst I understand this, my job on the planet is not to hold your hand through your years of societal conditioning. Im busy. I have lines to learn.”
Following the march at a later date will be a concert also organized by Sis titled “You Gotta Have a Gimmick” to showcase trans talent in the theatre industry.
Those interested in volunteering or otherwise supporting the cause can reach out to Sis through Twitter.
“trans people need to exist in the entertainment industry in all shapes and forms we need to be present at every platform on every level black and brown trans women are murdered damn near every week because people don’t think we are real!” Sis tweeted. “Well we f–king are and we are here!”
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