Photo: Richard Gray
Unknown Mortal Orchestra's Ruban Nielson has apologised after making a transphobic comment aimed at Caitlyn Jenner.
Jenner, the former Olympic athlete, parent to Kylie and Kendall Jenner and step-parent to the Kardashians, came out as a transgender woman last year. Despite being at the centre of a sensitive and enlightening TV series I Am Cait, during which she acknowledged her own privilege as a rich white trans woman, she's now angered members of the LGBTQ community by voicing her support for Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz.
In a recent interview with The Advocate, she said of Cruz - who has protested the idea of trans-friendly bathrooms and called marriage equality "fundamentally illegitimate" - "I like [him]. I think here's very conservative and a great constitutionalist, and a very articulate man." She did acknowledge, though, that he's "probably one of the worst ones when it comes to trans issues."
Apparently angered by this endorsement, Unknown Mortal Orchestra lead singer Ruban Nielson took to Twitter to write, ".@Caitlyn_Jenner hows it hanging, Bruce." He added, "I feel she doesn't deserve to be trans coz she's a fuckin sell-out that's all."
.@Caitlyn_Jenner hows it hanging, Bruce
— UMO (@UMO) March 4, 2016
Im just angry about America, leave me alone. You're more problematic than me
— UMO (@UMO) March 4, 2016
relax, Caitlyn don't give a fuck about the LGBT community
— UMO (@UMO) March 4, 2016
He subsequently apologised for the comments, telling NME via a direct message, "I'm drunk and this world is made. I expressed myself very badly. I was mad about Caitlyn Jenner supporting a politician that hates the LGBT community.
"Ironically I said something that is offensive to most people. I forget that not everybody find's my schtick cute. Big love to my trans brothers and sisters. Don't misread my heart please. Forgive me".
