Gay producer Harvey Fierstein is getting a ton of abuse from people who have the wrong Harvey
Theatre legend Harvey Fierstein has been forced to clarify that he has definitely not sexually assaulted any women – amid a tidal wave of mistaken abuse.
The actor won a Tony for originating the role as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, while he has gone from success to success as a producer, creating a string of camp musicals including La Cage aux Folles and Kinky Boots.
But despite being very gay, the theatre legend has received a tidal wave of abuse this month – from people wrongly accusing him of sexually assaulting women.
The gravelly-voiced actor was forced to make a public statement due to the tidal wave of people who had apparently confused him with Harvey Weinstein, the Miramax film exec who has been plagued with sexual assault allegations this month.
You can see how the confusion happened. Both men are called Harvey, have similar names, work in the media and are big-time Democrats.
Harvey Fierstein as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Apparently many people simply hadn’t realised that Harvey Fierstein and Harvey Weinstein are two different guys.
One Twitter user confessed: “these headlines were very confusing until i remembered Harvey Weinstein and Harvey Fierstein are different people”.
Another wrote: “I just can’t believe all these accusations of sexual harassment about Harvey Fierstein. I always thought he was gay. ”
Fortunately, Fierstein had an absolutely perfect reply to all the confusion.
Fierstein wrote on Twitter: “I’m a good gay! I mean, a good guy. – Guys, We’re Mad At Harvey WEINSTEIN, Not Harvey FIERSTEIN”
To clear it up, this is Harvey Fierstein.
(Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)
And this is Harvey Weinstein.
(Photo by YANN COATSALIOU/AFP/Getty Images)
Fierstein.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Weinstein.
(Photo by Alexandra Wyman/Getty Images For TWC)
Fierstein.
(Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images)
Weinstein.
(Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Acura)
Cleared up?
Good.
Fierstein and Kinky Boots co-creator Cyndi Lauper were honoured with their own stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame last year.
“What an honour!” Lauper wrote on Instagram after the ceremony.
Away from theatre, Fierstein is a long-time equal rights and HIV/AIDS campaigner,
Harvey Weinstein (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for National Geographic)
Since the first allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct by Weinstein, many more actors have come forward with their stories.
Actors and models who have accused Weinstein of misconduct, harassment or rape have included Asia Argento, Lucia Evans, Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Mira Sorvino, Rosanna Arquette, Ambra Battilana Guiterrez, Zoe Brock, Katherine Kendall, Tomi-Ann Roberts, Ashley Judd, Emma de Caunes, Romola Garai, Dawn Dunning, Rose McGowan, Lauren Sivan, Liza Campbell, Léa Seydoux and Cara Delevingne.
Cara Delevingne (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Following the revelations, Weinstein said in a statement: “I came of age in the 60’s and 70’s, when all the rules about behavior and workplaces were different. That was the culture then.
“I have since learned it’s not an excuse, in the office – or out of it. To anyone. I realized some time ago that I needed to be a better person and my interactions with the people I work with have changed.
“I appreciate the way I’ve behaved with colleagues in the past has caused a lot of pain, and I sincerely apologize for it.
He added: “Though I’m trying to do better, I know I have a long way to go. That is my commitment. My journey now will be to learn about myself and conquer my demons.”
While seemingly accepting claims of misconduct, Weinstein has continued to deny any non-consensual sexual contact with any women.
Days after the news of the allegations broke, Lisa Bloom quit as Weinstein’s advisor.
Lisa Bloom (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
“I have resigned as an advisor to Harvey Weinstein,” she said.
“My understanding is that Mr Weinstein and his board are moving toward an agreement.”
Previously, Bloom had said that she and Weinstein had several “wide-ranging conversations over the last year about rumors and allegations against him”.
“As a women’s rights advocate, I have been blunt with Harvey and he has listened to me,” Bloom said prior to her departure.
Angelina Jolie (Andrew Kent/Getty Images)
“I have told him that times have changed, it is 2017, and he needs to evolve to a higher standard. I have found Harvey to be refreshingly candid and receptive to my message.
“He has acknowledged mistakes he has made. He is reading books and going to therapy. He is an old dinosaur learning new ways.
“He wants to reach out to any of the women who may have issues with him to talk to them in a respectful, peaceful way, with me present if that is acceptable to them.”
