Matthew Lillard discussed the Cornell 7 lawsuit on a podcast, backing trans and queer kids and urging people to lead with love. (Frazer Harrison)
Matthew Lillard has addressed the Cornell University rape allegations on a podcast, using the moment to voice support for trans and queer kids and to criticise what he called “cancelling”.
Speaking on the I’ve Never Said This Before podcast, the actor said: “My first instinct is to go to speaking about queer kids and queer rights and trans kids and this idea that I reposted something recently that there are more rapists from that university than there are trans athletes in the world competing in other sports,” before adding: “And I think that’s really relevant.”
Lillard went on to say: “I feel like this idea of people cancelling other people is just horrific.” He added: “And being a kid that feels like he’s been on the outside his whole life, I just feel like most people should lead with love.”
What is alleged in the Cornell 7 lawsuit?
The comments come as attention has focused on a lawsuit in which an anonymous former Cornell student, referred to as Jane Doe, is suing Cornell University and seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity over an alleged assault said to have happened in 2024.
The claimant alleges she visited the Chi Phi fraternity house while intoxicated, and that two fraternity members pressured her into snorting a substance they claimed was ketamine before sexually assaulting her. She also alleges a man told the fraternity’s Snapchat group that a woman was “available for sex”, and that she was raped for hours.
After she filed a report to university police, the same account says an investigation ended with two of the seven accused fraternity members expelled, while others received punishments including suspensions, workshops and essays.
What else did Lillard and other celebrities say?
Lillard, 56, is best known for playing Stu Macher in Scream (1996) and Shaggy Rogers in the live-action Scooby-Doo films. He has repeatedly advocated for LGBTQ+ youth and is a parent to a non-binary, queer child.
Florence Pugh, the “Carrie” star, also posted about the case on Instagram, writing: “After reading about the young woman who was gang raped at her college by her friend and school peers, I’m feeling uneasy and sick and anxious. I’m processing quietly and watching everything and everyone and every man.”
A day earlier, Lillard spoke about his career, saying he didn’t feel “valued by Hollywood” and was still fighting for jobs.