“We watched the Ricky Gervais ‘comedy’ special on Netflix so you don’t have to.”
Comedian and actor Ricky Gervais has a new special, Supernaturalon Netflix starting today.
Derek Storm/Everett Collection
Throughout the special, Ricky makes several offensive jokes about trans people. At one point he actually claims to “support trans rights” – before ending with another joke about trans people.
Steven Ferdman / Courtesy Everett Collection
“Full disclosure: In real life, of course, I support trans rights,” he says. “I support all human rights, and trans rights are human rights. Live your best life. Use your favorite pronouns. Be the gender you feel you are. But join me in mid – way, ladies: lose the dick. That’s all I’m saying.
People are understandably upset, and this afternoon GLAAD released a statement condemning the special’s “anti-gay rhetoric” in a series of tweets.
We watched Ricky Gervais’ “comedy” special on Netflix so you don’t have to. It’s full of graphic, dangerous, anti-trans rants disguised as jokes. He also spouts anti-gay rhetoric & spreads inaccurate information about HIV. 1/4
@glaad / Via Twitter: @glaad
Lloyd Bishop/Nbc/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
“We watched the Ricky Gervais ‘comedy’ special on Netflix so you don’t have to,” the statement began. “It’s full of graphic, dangerous, anti-trans rants disguised as jokes. It also spouts anti-gay rhetoric and spreads inaccurate information about HIV.”
Mike Marsland/Getty Images/WireImage
“Warning Ricky and Netflix: People living with HIV today, when on effective treatment, lead long, healthy lives and cannot transmit HIV to others.”
David M. Benett/Getty Images
“Netflix has a policy that content ‘designed to incite hatred or violence’ is not allowed on its platform, but we all know that anti-LGBTQ content does just that. While Netflix offers LGBTQ shows revolutionaries, he refuses to enforce his own comedy policy.”
Ian West – PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images
“The LGBTQ community and our allies have made it clear that so-called comedians who spit hate in place of humor, and the media companies that give them a platform, will be held accountable. In the meantime, he there are a LOT of funny LGBTQ comedians on Support.”
Dee Cercone / Everett Collection
This isn’t the first time that Netflix – as well as a comedian whose work is mostly featured on Netflix – has faced backlash from GLAAD (as well as the LGBTQ+ community as a whole) for a offensive content.
Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Netflix
In October last year, GLAAD also spoke out against Dave Chappelle’s controversial Netflix special. The closestwhich also featured anti-trans remarks from the comedian.
Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
“The negative reviews and viewers loudly condemning his latest special is a message to the industry that the public does not support the platform of anti-LGBTQ rants,” GLAAD said in A declaration at the time. “We agree.”
Dave Chappelle’s brand has become synonymous with ridiculing trans people and other marginalized communities. The negative reviews and viewers loudly condemning his latest special is a message to the industry that the public does not support the platform of anti-LGBTQ rants. We agree. https://t.co/yOIyT54819
@glaad / Via Twitter: @glaad