Neil Gaiman has issued a strong denial of the sexual assault allegations outlined in a New York Magazine cover story we recently covered.
The acclaimed author of The Sandman AND Coraline addressed the claims on his personal blog, stating unequivocally: “I have never had non-consensual sexual relations with anyone. Never.”
In the detailed statement Gaiman reflected on his past personal relationships. He acknowledged that he was “emotionally unavailable while being sexually available, self-absorbed and not as thoughtful” as he should have been.
While expressing regret for his relationship shortcomings, he maintained that the sexual assault allegations were entirely false. “I am not willing to turn my back on the truth, and I cannot accept being described as someone I am not, and I cannot and will not admit that I have done things that I have not done,” he wrote.
The allegations against Gaiman first surfaced in July through a six-part Tortoise Media podcast titled Master, which contained the accounts of five women.
New York magazinethe recent article, “There is no safe word” expanded these claims, with journalist Lila Shapiro speaking to eight women who reported inappropriate behavior by the perpetrator.
Among them were a babysitter for Gaiman and his ex-wife Amanda Palmer’s son, a caretaker for Gaiman’s property in Woodstock, New York, and a fan who claimed the inappropriate conduct began when she was 18.
Several accusers detailed cases involving violent sexual encounters and BDSM activity that they said were not consensual.
Gaiman has consistently denied the allegations, stating that all interactions were consensual. His latest blog post marks his biggest response to date, rejecting what he described as mischaracterizations of his actions and intentions.
Since the initial report, Gaiman’s film and television projects have been affected. Production of Disney’s film adaptation The cemetery book was put on hold and Netflix was cancelled Detective of the dead boys. While it’s unclear whether these decisions were directly related to the allegations, Gaiman exited the third season of Good omens, which was condensed into a single 90-minute episode.
You can read Gaiman’s full statement below.
“Over the past few months, I have watched with horror and dismay as stories about me circulated on the Internet. So far I have remained silent, both out of respect for the people sharing their stories and out of a desire not to draw even more attention to so much misinformation.
“I have always tried to be a private person and increasingly felt that social media was the wrong place to talk about important personal matters. Now I’m at the point where I feel like I should say something.
As I read this latest collection of accounts, there are moments I half-recognize and moments I don’t, descriptions of things that happened alongside things that emphatically didn’t happen. I’m far from a perfect person, but I’ve never had non-consensual sex with anyone. Never.
I went back to read the messages I exchanged with the women present and following the occasions that were later denounced as abusive.
“These messages read now as they did when I received them – from two people enjoying completely consensual sexual relations and wanting to see each other again. At the time I was in those relationships, they seemed positive and happy on both sides.
And I also realize, looking at them, years later, that I could and should have done much better. I was emotionally unavailable while being sexually available, self-absorbed, and not as thoughtful as I could or should have been.
“I have evidently been careless about people’s hearts and feelings, and that’s something I truly, deeply regret. It was selfish of me. I was caught up in my story and ignored that of others.
I spent a few months taking a long, hard look at who I was and how I made people feel.
Like most of us, I’m learning and trying to do the necessary work, and I know it’s not an overnight process. I hope that with the help of good people I will continue to grow.
“I understand that not everyone will believe me or care what I say, but I will do the work anyway, for myself, for my family and for the people I love. I will do my best to earn their trust, as well as that of my readers.
“At the same time, as I reflect on my past – and as I review everything that actually happened versus what is claimed – I do not accept that there was any abuse. Again, I have never had non-consensual sex with anyone.
“Some of the horrific stories being told today simply never happened, while others have been so distorted from what actually happened that they have no bearing on reality.
“I am ready to take responsibility for every misstep I have made. I am not willing to turn my back on the truth, and I cannot accept being portrayed as someone I am not, and I cannot and will not admit that I have done things that I have not done.
by Joey Paur
Source: Geek Tyrant

Lloyd Grunewald is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. He is a talented writer who focuses on bringing the latest entertainment-related news to his readers. With a deep understanding of the entertainment industry and a passion for writing, Lloyd delivers engaging articles that keep his readers informed and entertained.