
Bette Midler addresses backlash after comments about abortion access criticized as anti-trans
CBSN
Bette Midler defended herself against online backlash Tuesday after a tweet posted over the weekend sparked criticism on social media, with thousands of users calling her comments anti-transgender and exclusionary.
Midler, who has lent her voice to LGBTQ+ activism in the past and been described as an ally to the community, was met with disappointment from fans and advocacy groups when she seemed to balk at growing calls to use gender-inclusive terms in discussions that involve abortion access.
"WOMEN OF THE WORLD! We are being stripped of our rights over our bodies, our lives and even of our name!" the artist tweeted on Sunday. "They don't call us 'women' anymore; they call us 'birthing people' or 'menstruators,' and even 'people with vaginas'! Don't let them erase you! Every human on earth owes you!"

Robert Morris, founding pastor of Gateway Church, a megachurch in Southlake, Texas, has been indicted on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child, stemming from alleged incidents dating back to the 1980s, the Oklahoma attorney general's office announced Wednesday. We are aware of the actions being taken by the legal authorities in Oklahoma and are grateful for the work of the justice system in holding abusers accountable for their actions. We continue to pray for Cindy Clemishire and her family, for the members and staff of Gateway Church, and for all of those impacted by this terrible situation.