Since its trailer was released in August, the gay rights drama “Stonewall” has drawn controversy from critics who say the film “whitewashes” the diverse activists who played key roles in the 1969 riots that kicked off the movement for equality.

After addressing the criticism on Facebook last month, director Roland Emmerich discussed the contention during a HuffPost Live interview on Monday, along with “Stonewall” stars Jeremy Irvine, Jonny Beauchamp and Otoja Abit.

In the video above, watch Emmerich and his actors explain why the concern over “whitewashing” was blown out of proportion — and why Irvine says the criticism has only come from “people who haven’t seen the movie.” And below, Emmerich discusses why he cast cisgender actor Abit, rather than a transgender actress, to portray trans activist Marsha P. Johnson.

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