### Will Ferrell Expresses Regret Over Incident at Texas Steakhouse with Transgender Friend

Comedian Will Ferrell has opened up about his regret over taking his transgender friend, Harper Steele, to a steakhouse in Texas while filming their Netflix documentary, "Will & Harper." The incident took place at The Big Texan in Amarillo, where Steele was booed by diners after making remarks about transgender laws.

Ferrell, primarily known for his roles in comedy, and Steele, a former Saturday Night Live (SNL) writer, had gone to the restaurant to film a 72-ounce steak challenge. The actor tearfully recounted the negative reaction they faced during the meal, stating that it was a "bad choice" to bring Steele to the venue.

The scene became fraught after Steele made comments regarding a trans bill, thinking it was an opportunity to address the need for greater trans rights in Texas. According to Steele, a woman in the restaurant shouted, "We still love you," a phrase she found patronizing. Steele interpreted the outburst as a suggestion to abandon her transgender identity for religious reasons. This moment, however, was cut from the final version of the documentary.

Texas is known for its conservative stance on transgender rights, including restrictions on gender-affirming care for children and prohibitions on updating gender on official state documents. Recognizing the challenging environment in Texas, Ferrell said he felt a sense of guilt for not foreseeing the potential backlash. He admitted he wished they had chosen not to patronize the establishment.

Despite the adverse reactions, Steele does not regret participating in the documentary. "There's a process of normalizing queer people for America, and this movie does that. It makes the trans experience more understandable," she remarked.

Ferrell and Steele have shared a close friendship since the 1990s, having first met on the set of SNL. Steele's transition journey began publicly in 2022 at the age of 61. The controversial incident and the subsequent social media backlash highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the transgender community, especially in more conservative regions of the United States.