'Hulk' Mark Ruffalo Makes Trans Community Angry

"It’s wrenching to see you in this pain."

9.1.2016

Actor Mark "The Hulk" Ruffalo just made the trans community angry, and you don't want to make them angry. His crime: casting a "cisgendered" gay actor to play a transgender character in an upcoming film he produced.

Continuing his progressive crusade – Ruffalo arguably earns the label "flaming" as far as leftists go – The Avengers star produced a little passion project called Anything, in which a transgender sex worker strikes up an unlikely friendship with a suicidal widower on the streets of Philadelphia...I mean, Los Angeles. Basically, it's a buddy movie for the 21st century.

For the transgender character, Ruffalo cast actor Matt Bomer (White Collar) after previously working with him on the HBO aids drama The Normal Heart. Though Bomer is openly gay, the transgender community lashed out at Ruffalo for casting a "cisgendered" white male to play one of their own. Call it "trans-appropriation."

After enduring the hate mail, Ruffalo responded to the backlash on Twitter, saying he has heard their "pain" and will do better in the future.

"To the Trans community," Ruffalo wrote. "I hear you. It’s wrenching to see you in this pain. I am glad we are having this conversation. It’s time."

Ruffalo then went on to explain that he cast Bomer more for professional reasons, not ideological.

"In all honesty I suggested Matt for the role after the profound experience I had with him while making The Normal Heart," Ruffalo said.

To make up for it...Well, actually, Ruffalo can't make up for it. After one fellow suggested he recast the role, Ruffalo exclaimed: "The movie is already shot and Matt poured his heart and soul into this part. Please have a little compassion. We are all learning."

Yes, we certainly are all learning, Mr. Ruffalo, and here is your opportunity to show the trans community you've learned your lesson. So what if you already shot the film? Go the extra mile and spend the extra money on reshoots. What's a few million dollars for the sake of social justice? Did you not say that socialist Bernie Sanders "awoke something" in you? C'mon, Hulk, show us that green.