PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI: Kevin Spacey is back under intense spotlight after Star Trek actor Anthony Rapp accused the House of Cards star of making a sexual advance towards him when he was merely a teenager.
In a recent interview with Buzzfeed, Rapp revealed explicit details of the events of the night that left an imprint on his mind ever since. “My stomach churns,” the Rent actor who was 14-years-old at that time, says of the experience now. “I still to this day can’t wrap my head around so many aspects of it. It’s just deeply confusing to me.”
FILE - In this May 24, 2017 file photo, actor Kevin Spacey participates in the BUILD Speaker Series at AOL Studios in New York. Spacey stars in the Netflix original series "House of Cards," and will host this year's Tony Awards on Sunday, June 11. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, FIle) ORG XMIT: NYET499'Star Trek' actor alleges Kevin Spacey tried to seduce him when he was 14
“The older I get, and the more I know, I feel very fortunate that something worse didn’t happen,” Rapp said of the encounter, which weighed on him more as he became an adult. “And at the same time, the older I get, the more I can’t believe it. I could never imagine [that] anyone else I know would do something like that to a 14-year-old boy.”
Spacey later took to Twitter to apologise to Rapp.
— Kevin Spacey (@KevinSpacey) October 30, 2017
The Usual Suspects actor claimed that he doesn't remember the incident but if the events are in fact true, he owes Rapp a sincere apology.
Good call. Nice.
PHOTO: THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTERSpacey, however, went on to talk about his sexual orientation (which has been a subject of discussion over the years) in the post and openly admitted of living his life as a 'gay man.' And apparently he felt the need to make this revelation today!
Okay. Cool.
Now, here's why it's problematic.
Social media fills with 'Me Too' stories of sexual harassment, assault
When Reuters covered the said story, the original headline (which is now changed), simply referred to Spacey coming out of the closet. Which, I feel, is extremely troublesome.
"Is this a joke? The headline should be 'Kevin Spacey is accused of paedophilia by fellow actor'," a Twitter user mirrored my thoughts.
PHOTO: BILLBOARDThe main focus of the story should have been how he was accused of a serious crime, and what we witnessed was how smartly, Spacey managed to divert the attention from the main issue - of him committing a heinous act - that too, against a 14-year-old - making it all about his sexual orientation.
Twitter is obviously furious.
"The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing folks it was about being gay and not about sexual predators. Shame on Kevin Spacey," wrote one user.
Another user wrote, "Kevin Spacey: "I was drunk and gay so I sexually assaulted a 14-year-old." Nah man, stop the pathetic excuses you vile man."
"Nope, sorry. Can't quite bring myself to support Kevin Spacey coming out. Not when it's part of an excuse for sexual assault," said another one.
PHOTO: VOGUEWeinstein affair puts spotlight on non-disclosure agreements
"No, Kevin Spacey. You don't get to use your sexuality as a distraction from sexual assault. You just threw the gay community under the bus," wrote another livid user.
"Kevin Spacey, you have been accused of sexually assaulting a 14 year old boy, how do you plead Kevin Spacey: Gay."
"Wait A Second: Did Kevin Spacey kinda admit to the sexual assault, then come out as gay, making it seem like he's the victim here??"
"Kevin Spacey coming out is a distraction from the fact that he SEXUALLY ABUSED A CHILD. Don't fall for it. He's trying to divert attention."
https://twitter.com/AustinCTweets/status/924920759163719681
Kevin Spacey has been accused of sexually assaulting a 14 year old boy.
— GRH (@girlwithredhurr) October 30, 2017
And how does he plead?!
Gay. pic.twitter.com/pylefAsKja
Now, I was a huge Spacey fan. I've probably watched all of his movies. You name it, I've most likely watched it. But diverting attention from being accused of sexual assault of a minor, and using your sexuality as an excuse, is abysmally pathetic.
Wow, Kevin Spacey's reputation is crumbling like, one might say, a house of cards.
Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ