This site uses cookies to improve your experience and to provide services and advertising.
By continuing to browse, you agree to the use of cookies described in our Cookies Policy.
You may change your settings at any time but this may impact on the functionality of the site.
To learn more see our
Cookies Policy.
Download our app
Here's why 21,000 people are boycotting this film about the gay rights movement
OVER 21,000 PEOPLE have signed a petition to boycott a new film about the early days of the LGBT rights movement.
Stonewall, starring Jeremy Irvine and Jonathan Rhys Myers, purports to tell the story of the 1969 Stonewall riots, which kicked off the gay rights movement in the US.
However, people are accusing the film of ‘whitewashing’ history.
What are they mad about?
YouTube YouTube
People are angry that Marsha P Johnson, a black transwoman who eyewitnesses say was one of the first to start rioting, appears to have been left out of the film, along with other black and trans activists.
In the trailer for the film, a character played by white actor Jeremy Irvine is apparently shown to incite the riots.
The petition reads:
Many members of the gay community are saying that while they’re grateful for the story to be made into a film, they’d prefer it to be told correctly:
Whoops!
We couldn't find this Tweet
Whoops!
We couldn't find this Tweet
What do the filmmakers say?
Director Roland Emmerich has defended the casting on Facebook:
_jeremyirvine _jeremyirvine
Lead actor Irvine has also defended his character in an Instagram post, saying:
“I felt incredibly nervous taking on this role knowing how important the subject matter is to so many people… I hope that we have not only done such an important story justice but also made a good movie as well,” he continued.
When can we see it for ourselves?
Facebook / Roland Emmerich Facebook / Roland Emmerich / Roland Emmerich
The film is out in the US on September 25 - the Irish release date is yet to be announced, so reserve your judgement until then.
Miley Cyrus is asking why Taylor Swift is seen as a better role model than her>
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
jeremy irvine jonathan rhys meyers roland emmerich Stonewall stonewall riots