LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD has responded to Ricky Gervais’ latest Netflix particular, which has drawn criticism as a consequence of jokes mocking trans individuals.
In a press release, GLAAD known as the particular “harmful,” saying that it consists of “anti-trans rants masquerading as jokes.”
“We watched the Ricky Gervais ‘comedy’ particular on Netflix so that you don’t should. It’s stuffed with graphic, harmful, anti-trans rants masquerading as jokes. He additionally spouts anti-gay rhetoric and spreads inaccurate details about HIV,” GLAAD mentioned within the assertion. “Consideration Ricky and Netflix: individuals dwelling with HIV at the moment, when on efficient remedy, lead lengthy and wholesome lives and can’t transmit HIV to others.”
The assertion continues, “Netflix has a coverage that content material ‘designed to incite hate or violence’ isn’t allowed on their platform, however everyone knows that anti-LGBTQ content material does precisely that. Whereas Netflix is residence to some groundbreaking LGBTQ exhibits, it refuses to implement its personal coverage in comedy. The LGBTQ neighborhood and our allies have made it very clear that so-called comedians who spew hate instead of humor, and the media corporations who give them a platform, can be held accountable. In the meantime, there are PLENTY of humorous LGBTQ comedians to help.”
Netflix didn’t instantly reply to Selection‘s request for remark.
Within the particular, titled “SuperNature,” Gervais makes a number of offensive jokes surrounding the trans neighborhood, seemingly conscious that his feedback will stir controversy.
“Oh, ladies!” Gervais says within the particular. “Not all ladies, I imply the old school ones. The old school ladies, those with wombs. These fucking dinosaurs. I really like the brand new ladies. They’re nice, aren’t they? The brand new ones we’ve been seeing currently. Those with beards and cocks. They’re as good as gold, I really like them. And now the old school ones say, ‘Oh, they need to use our bogs.’ ‘Why shouldn’t they use your bogs?’ ‘For women!’ ‘They’re women — have a look at their pronouns! What about this particular person isn’t a woman?’ ‘Nicely, his penis.’ ‘Her penis, you fucking bigot!’ ‘What if he rapes me?’ ‘What if she rapes you, you fucking TERF whore?’”
Towards the tip of the particular, Gervais claims that he does help trans rights, however it results in yet one more punchline on the neighborhood’s expense: “Full disclosure: In actual life in fact I help trans rights. I help all human rights, and trans rights are human rights. Stay your finest life. Use your most well-liked pronouns. Be the gender that you simply really feel that you’re. However meet me midway, women: Lose the cock. That’s all I’m saying.”
This isn’t the primary time Netflix has hosted a comic’s particular containing anti-trans jokes. In October, Dave Chappelle’s particular “The Nearer” led to firm walkouts and protests. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos defended the particular in a workers memo, saying that he supported Chappelle’s “inventive freedom.”
“As with our different expertise, we work laborious to help their inventive freedom — though this implies there’ll at all times be content material on Netflix some individuals imagine is dangerous,” Sarandos mentioned.
In a press release on the time, Netflix mentioned it inspired staff to “disagree overtly” with the sentiment of Chappelle’s particular.
“Dave Chappelle’s specials are persistently the most-watched comedy specials on Netflix, and have earned many awards, together with each an Emmy and a Grammy for ‘Sticks & Stones,’” a Netflix spokesperson mentioned. “We help inventive expression for our creators. We additionally encourage our staff to disagree overtly.”