Olivia Colman’s ‘gay man’ remark triggers a public letter from a Scottish lesbian group — who is hurt first and why it matters

Here’s the part that matters: a Scottish lesbian support group says Olivia Colman’s self-description as a “gay man” has caused real hurt for people whose lives were shaped by marginalisation. In a two-page social media letter the group called the comments deeply painful and said they diminish the specific struggles faced by gay and lesbian people. The disclosure came while Colman was promoting her new film Jimpa, where questions of gender and sexuality are central.

Olivia Colman: who the group says feels the immediate impact

The Fantastic Lesbians, a Scottish lesbian support group, published a two-page response on social media that framed the remarks as diminishing the lived experiences of gay and lesbian people. The group’s spokesperson said that when someone who has lived openly and comfortably as heterosexual talks about identifying as gay, it can be deeply painful for people whose lives have been shaped by confusion, fear, self-interrogation and alienation from family, faith communities or society at large. The letter emphasised that many heterosexual people never have to question their orientation or come out, nor prove the legitimacy of their families.

Event details embedded: what Colman said while promoting Jimpa

While promoting the drama Jimpa, Olivia Colman said she has "always felt sort of non-binary" and that she has "never felt massively feminine". She added that she has described herself to her husband as a "gay man", and that he responded, "Yeah, I get that. " The remarks were made in a recent interview tied to the film’s publicity and drew the lettered response from The Fantastic Lesbians.

Film context and cast that framed the conversation

Jimpa is presented as a story about queerness and parenthood. Colman plays Hannah, a mother who travels with her non-binary child, Frances (played by Aud Mason-Hyde), to Amsterdam to visit their gay father Jim (played by John Lithgow). The film’s writer-director is Sophie Hyde and it has been described as semi-autobiographical in its exploration of LGBTQ+ family dynamics. In the story, Jim left to pursue a freer life in the Dutch capital after coming out when his children were young; he actively encourages Frances to explore the city’s queer culture. When Frances opts to live in Amsterdam with Jim for a year, Hannah is forced to reevaluate long-held parenting beliefs and family stories.

How the support group framed its objections and its tone

The Fantastic Lesbians said their intention was not to accuse or attack, but to express hurt. They argued that for many people being gay required courage, resilience and sacrifice in ways that heterosexual life has not demanded. The group said that treating marginalised lived experiences as interchangeable with experiences that have not involved marginalisation is a source of pain. The letter described mainstream affirmation of heterosexuality through media, family structures and social expectations as a contrast to the struggles outlined for gay and lesbian people.

Related reactions inside the Jimpa circle and other details

Members of Jimpa’s cast and crew have been involved in adjacent conversations: Aud Mason-Hyde earlier called John Lithgow’s decision to take a role in a high-profile adaptation "vaguely hurtful" and "difficult. " John Lithgow plays Jim in Jimpa and is also reported to be set to portray Albus Dumbledore in a forthcoming adaptation. Colman is 52 years old and is a decorated actor—she won an Academy Award in 2018 for her role in The Favourite, received Oscar nominations for The Father and The Lost Daughter, and has won BAFTAs for television roles in Broadchurch, Accused and Twenty Twelve.

Personal details that have been iterated in coverage

• Colman has been married to Ed Sinclair for over 25 years.
• Another item in the public record states she has been married to Ed Sinclair since 2001.

It’s easy to overlook, but the mix of professional prominence and personal language helps explain why these comments spread quickly and prompted a public letter: Colman’s roles and accolades give her words cultural weight, while Jimpa’s subject matter makes identity a central conversation.

The real question now is how public figures navigate describing internal identities in ways that acknowledge historical and social differences in lived experience. Signals that could indicate a next turn include further public responses from Colman or additional statements from groups directly affected; details may continue to evolve.

Key takeaways:

• The Fantastic Lesbians issued a two-page letter on social media calling Olivia Colman’s comments deeply painful and saying they diminish the struggle of gay and lesbian people.
• Colman said she feels "sort of non-binary, " does not feel "massively feminine, " and has described herself to her husband as a "gay man. "
• Jimpa—written and directed by Sophie Hyde—focuses on a family with multiple queer members and stars Colman, John Lithgow and Aud Mason-Hyde; plot points include a year in Amsterdam and a gay grandfather encouraging exploration of queer culture.
• Aud Mason-Hyde previously described Lithgow’s outside casting decision as "vaguely hurtful" and "difficult. "
• Colman is 52, won an Academy Award in 2018 for The Favourite, has Oscar nominations for The Father and The Lost Daughter, and has won BAFTAs for Broadchurch, Accused and Twenty Twelve.
• Colman’s marital details appear in public material as both "married for over 25 years" and "married since 2001. "

Recent updates indicate the conversation is active; details may evolve as those directly involved respond further.