Actress Anne Curtis broke her silence after Congressman Bong Suntay delivered an analogy using her as an example during a House Committee on Justice hearing.
On Instagram, Anne posted the following:
“Hi. It took me a while to speak up. I was focused on what mattered most, being reunited with my family, who were stranded in the Middle East and getting home safely.
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“I am home now, and now I’m ready to say what needs to be said. Not for revenge or drama, but because remaining silent would be wrong for me, and for every woman watching.
A vulgar, sexualized analogy. My name disgustingly used without my consent, in the wrong context, and more importantly, without an ounce of respect. My initial reaction was one of shock. I was hurt, disturbed by how perverted it was, and angry.
What happened to me isn’t rare. It happens to women every day in offices, in group chats, in rooms where men think no one is listening, or worse, in rooms where they know everyone is and simply don’t care.
Mr. Suntay, I won’t spend much time on you. Not because what you did was small, but because this was never really about you. Since you used me as an example, let me use you as one too. You’ve become the poster boy of something much bigger: a culture that still thinks it’s acceptable to talk about women this way. Worse, one that tolerates it from our leaders.
As they say, misogyny dressed up as a joke is still misogyny. You hold a seat paid for by taxpayers. Women are taxpayers. I am a taxpayer. We are not props in your commentary.
I do not accept your non-apology. But I also will not carry this as a personal wound.
I do, however, accept your wife’s apology. Because as a wife and a mother myself, I know exactly what she must be feeling — that particular kind of embarrassment, that helplessness, that quiet grief of watching someone choose so poorly in public.
To her, and to your children: this is not your shame. Please know that. And I hope everyone reading this extends them the same grace.
To the ethics committee: I hope you do not let this pass. The integrity of public office depends on the standards it upholds.
I will be seeking legal advice and will consider all my options looking forward.”
(Photo source: Instagram – Anne Curtis)
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