Trans activist Stephen Ira Beatty is publicly defending his famous parents after a columnist published an open letter to Warren Beatty and Annette Bening suggesting they are not supportive of their child.

‘I appreciate your kind words about me, but please leave my family alone,’ the younger Beatty tweeted to columnist Michael Musto.

‘We like our privacy. My parents and I are doing great.’

In a column for Out.com, Musto was critical of the couple and wrote in part: ‘… You haven’t said a word in public about him, and I hear you’ve even dodged press to avoid having to confront this subject. Maybe you think it’s not our business, but it became our business when Stephen Ira came out as trans at 14, especially considering the fact that your family is a high profile one that happens to consist of public figures.’

Musto went on to praise the son for his effectiveness as an outspoken trans activist and wrote to the parents: ‘… You won’t give him a public benediction! In fact, whenever Stephen thanks people for their support, your names don’t seem to be included in those he’s most grateful to.’

Comments

(All comments are reviewed before being published, and I review submissions several times per day.)

4 Remarks

1. April 6th, 2015 at 12:49 pm
   Jim says:

   Michael Musto is correct. I hope he and other influential writers will continue to speak up and call celebrities out for not using their glamorous powers for the good of the cause.

2. April 6th, 2015 at 2:14 pm
   JP says:

   I would take exception to this. Whereas Stephen Beatty is out about his life, it has nothing to do with his parents. If their relationship is a good one and they support him that’s fine. Just because they are public figures doesn’t mean they have a responsibility to give him a “public benediction,” (whatever that is). They evidently prefer to keep their relations with this son, and perhaps themselves and their other children a private matter.

3. April 6th, 2015 at 3:21 pm
   Charlie says:

   Stephen says that the family wants their privacy. Being trans is a highly private situation. I would hope that Musto could appreciate that a fourteen year old, and his parents have requested privacy during this period. When Stephen is of legal age he will be able to stand up and be an example to others, and will be supported by his parents more than likely.

4. April 6th, 2015 at 4:59 pm
   K. Martinez says:

   Stephen Beatty’s relationship with his parents is his business and no one else’s. Not everything has to be political. Stephen Musto should butt out of other people’s family relations.