It was really hard: Trace Lysette on opening up about sexual abuse

"Transparent" actress Trace Lysette says she has no regrets about accusing former co-star Jeffrey Tambor of sexual harassment.

"It was hell, in a word," variety.com quoted Lysette as saying.

"It was really hard, but I've never shied away from making decisions out of fear. What I mean by that is that I knew I had to do the right thing, and the right thing revealed itself to me, and I spoke the truth."

Tambor was eventually fired from "Transparent" following harassment allegations made by his former assistant on the show, Van Barnes, who accused Tambor of subjecting her to unwanted physical contact and lewd remarks.

But Tambor's career is still alive; he has a starring role on Netflix's "Arrested Development" reboot.

Lysette wasn't surprised Tambor seemed to take a softer hit compared to other industry heavyweights singled out in the #MeToo movement, since most of his accusers are transgender women.

"I'm used to people not wanting to believe us and being at the bottom of the totem pole, as you said -- being considered overly sexual beings, objectified," Lysette said.

"Our word doesn't carry weight the same way, which is why it took him shouting down Jessica Walter to be cancelled. That was what it took."

--IANS

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