Right-wing bloggers’ accusations of sexual abuse against Lena Dunham set off a firestorm this weekend, and now hordes of angry Twitter users are setting upon those defending the actress.
Comedian Jimmy Kimmel caught flak for tweeting this Monday:
To suggest that a 7 yr-old girl is even capable of “molestation” is vile. #clickbaityourselvestohell xo @lenadunham
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) November 3, 2014
Here is a sample of the reactions:
.@jimmykimmel @lenadunham Read all of it and stick to comedy. You are embarrassing yourself.
— Mark O. Van Wagoner (@VanWagoner) November 3, 2014
@jimmykimmel @lenadunham this tweet will be deleted within 15 minutes after Jimmy realizes defending a molester is not good for ratings
— RMMcGill (@RMMcGill) November 3, 2014
@jimmykimmel @lenadunham This endorsement of incest and abuse should go viral. @instapundit @Popehat @AaronWorthing
— Mark O. Van Wagoner (@VanWagoner) November 3, 2014
@jimmykimmel Ok now imagine @lenadunham had done that to a complete stranger’s baby. Still no outrage Jimmy? What if it were YOUR baby girl?
— Cheeky Super (@CheekySuper) November 3, 2014
Dunham went into a self-described Twitter “rage spiral” on Saturday over allegations that she sexually abused her younger sister, which were leveled by The National Review and Truth Revolt. The right-wing websites cited anecdotes from Dunham’s collection of essays, “Not That Kind Of Girl,” as evidence of the sexual abuse.
Then on Monday, the sister, Grace Dunham, appeared to address the accusations herself:
heteronormativity deems certain behaviours harmful, and others “normal”; the state and media are always invested in maintaining that
— Grace Dunham (@simongdunham) November 3, 2014
As a queer person: i’m committed to people narrating their own experiences, determining for themselves what has and has not been harmful
— Grace Dunham (@simongdunham) November 3, 2014
2day, like every other day, is a good day to think about how we police the sexualities of young women, queer, and trans people
— Grace Dunham (@simongdunham) November 3, 2014
But it’s unlikely at this point that Grace Dunham’s comments will stem the outrage kicked up by the accusations.
