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Nonbinary actor Liv Hewson, best known for their role as the teenage version of Van Palmer in the hit show 'Yellowjackets,' is challenging the view that top surgery—a type of gender-affirming procedure—is considered a form of "mutilation" for individuals assigned female at birth.
In a recent interview with Teen Vogue, Hewson expressed their dissatisfaction with the derogatory language often used to describe these procedures, saying, "When people use words like 'mutilation' to describe gender-affirming surgery, it's deeply offensive.
Is that the same perspective one has for individuals who've undergone other forms of surgery?" The actor's comments are a firm rebuttal to the notion that those seeking gender-affirming surgery are incapable of making such a crucial decision.
Challenging 'Regret' Stereotypes
Additionally, Hewson, who identifies as nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns, has discussed the recurring theme of regret associated with such surgeries. They countered this narrative with, "Is the expectation that individuals should never feel regret about anything? Given the substantial statistical data regarding the low rates of regret following gender-affirming surgery, this argument is simply baseless.
What's next, legislation against getting tattoos? This appears to be nothing more than a veiled attempt at control, with individuals expected to make choices that conform to someone else's comfort level with their existence.
It's utterly irrational." Indeed, Hewson's arguments find support in contemporary research. For instance, a study published in the most recent issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery—a leading journal from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons—reports that less than 1 percent of individuals regret their gender-affirming procedures.
Earlier this year, Hewson made headlines by choosing to abstain from consideration for an Emmy for their work on 'Yellowjackets.' They stated that there was no appropriate category for them among the acting nominations. This action sparked a broader discussion about the necessity to reevaluate gendered awards in the industry.
Notably, Alex Newell and J. Harrison Ghee, both nonbinary actors, made history last month by becoming the first openly nonbinary actors to receive Tony Awards for their performances.
