Kevin Spacey, most famous for his star role in the Netflix series House of Cards, was first accused of sexual assault by American actor Anthony Rapp. Afterwards, several involved with House of Cards came forward.
The television and movie-making business is riddled with sexual assaults, whether behind the scenes or at premiers, events, and afterparties. Survivors’ cries for help have been silenced to preserve the dignity of the industry and the perpetrator.
The latter is what allegedly happened to a different survivor of sexual assault by Spacey.
According to The Sun, a British news outlet, “The alleged victim, now age 32, contacted City of London Police on Tuesday…” after news had spread about Rapp. The survivor reported that after passing out, he awoke to “Spacey performing oral sex on him and told him to stop” when “Spacey allegedly told him: ‘Don’t tell anyone about this.’”
According to The Telegraph, Rapp explained, “Spacey invited him [Rapp] to a party at his home in New York. He was the only teenager [Rapp was 14 at the time; Spacey was 26.] in attendance, and went to watch television after becoming bored. Rapp claims Spacey found him, picked Rapp up, placed him on his bed and climbed on top of him.
According to The Sun, “Eight others have claimed to have been harassed or assaulted by the actor while working on the Netflix TV show House of Cards.”
I would be lying if I said I am not disappointed that House of Cards has been officially cancelled. However, I am proud of the Netflix team for valuing employees’ physical safety and mental well-being over money, unlike many of their counterparts in the past; this far supersedes any of my displeasure.
Netflix has set a new standard that I hope will influence the industry across the country and broader world.
On the other hand, how Spacey handled the allegations was less than respectful. He posted on twitter, “I honestly do not remember the encounter…” blaming being drunk for his crime.
Not only did Spacey try to deflect his actions by blaming alcohol, but he took the opportunity to abuse his spot in the public eye to come out as a gay man.
This ‘I’m not a pedophile; I’m gay,’ rhetoric tarnishes adult homosexuality, criminally trying to pass off the sexual assault of a minor as common behavior for a gay adult.
Furthermore, Spacey has not addressed any other allegations; we only know that, according to NBC, “Spacey’s representatives said that ‘Kevin Spacey is taking the time necessary to seek evaluation and treatment.’” This also suggests that the apology and coming out was only to deflect negativity off of himself, rather than being a sincere apology.
LGBTQ+ platforms blew up as word spread about one sexual assault accusation after another. Famous actors and comedians in the LGBTQ+ community took to Twitter to denounce Spacey’s timing and the queer community’s relationship with sexual assault, especially on minors.
I think I speak for all of us in the LGBTQ+ community when I say that pedophilia is not and will never be accepted as a part of our community, and coming out does not excuse any previous predatory behavior.
In fact, Spacey has spoiled what should be a freeing and celebratory acceptance of himself, twisting his coming out into a distraction for horrific past actions that we refuse to dismiss. We will not stand for any of Spacey’s vulturous behavior. It is through backhanded actions like Spacey’s that the LGBTQ+ community suffers.
In closing, Netflix has officially fired Spacey and cancelled all of its projects with him. One can only hope that the actual president of our nation, also accused multiple times of sexual assault, will one day be held to the same standard as Netflix did towards its President, Frank Underwood.
Be First to Comment