The overwhelming support and respect people have shown Chris Evans in regard to his accidental nude leak is great, but it raises the question: Would the same amount of support be given if Chris was a woman?
Twitter was in a craze yesterday after the “Captain America” star, Chris Evans, accidentally screenshared a very private photo on his Instagram story. While there were people “thirsting” over Evans, many also rushed to his defense by posting wholesome photos of the actor and reminding everyone of his good character.
While we hope this is a mark of cultural change with the way people react to celebrity nudes, it’s hard not to think that there’s a double standard.
We’ve seen it too many times—women blamed and condemned for their nudes being nonconsensually shared on the Internet. Instead of being defended or comforted for having their private photos being leaked, they are blamed for taking the photos in the first place. Many of us remember the scars of the 2014 celebrity hacking, where the women involved were shamed, many people calling them out for ruining their career and failing to “cover-up.” Among these celebrities was “The Hunger Games’” lead Jennifer Lawrence, who notes after the leak, “People forget that we’re human.” The conversation on a female figure’s leaked pictures is often not on consent, but on questioning her character.
Many people weighed their thoughts on Twitter, including “2 Broke Girls” actress Kat Dennings whose photos were also leaked in the past, and journalist and trans activist Ashlee Preston.
The public respect for Chris Evans’ privacy/feelings is wonderful. Wouldn’t it be nice if it extended to women when this kind of thing happens?
— Kat Dennings (@OfficialKat) September 13, 2020
While everyone is talking about the Chris Evans pic, this would be a great time to discuss the slut-shaming of women who’s photos are leaked (usually revenge porn) and how they’re slut-shamed into oblivion. Let’s keep this same loving, protective, supportive energy for them too.
— Ashlee Marie Preston (@AshleeMPreston) September 13, 2020
While we hope a culture shift is finally happening, we won’t be holding our breaths.
Photo screengrabbed from “Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War” trailer
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