Comedian and actor Ricky Gervais has a new special, Supernature, on Netflix starting today.
Throughout the special, Ricky makes several offensive jokes about trans people. At one point, he actually claims to "support trans rights" — before ending on another joke about trans people.
People are understandably upset, and this afternoon, GLAAD issued a statement condemning the special's "anti-gay rhetoric" in a series of tweets.
We watched the Ricky Gervais "comedy" special on Netflix so you don’t have to. It’s full of graphic, dangerous, anti-trans rants masquerading as jokes. He also spouts anti-gay rhetoric & spreads inaccurate information about HIV. 1/4
“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 masquerading as jokes. He also spouts anti-gay rhetoric and spreads inaccurate information about HIV."
“Attention Ricky and Netflix: people living with HIV today, when on effective treatment, lead long and healthy lives and cannot transmit HIV to others.”
“Netflix has a policy that content ‘designed to incite hate or violence’ is not allowed on their platform, but we all know that anti-LGBTQ content does exactly that. While Netflix is home to some groundbreaking LGBTQ shows, it refuses to enforce its own policy in comedy."
"The LGBTQ community and our allies have made it very clear that so-called comedians who spew hate in place of humor, and the media companies who give them a platform, will be held accountable. Meanwhile, there are PLENTY of funny LGBTQ comedians to support.”
This isn't the first time Netflix — as well as a comedian whose work is primarily featured on Netflix — has faced backlash from GLAAD (as well as the LGBTQ+ community at large) for offensive content.
In October of last year, GLAAD also spoke out against Dave Chappelle's controversial Netflix special The Closer, which also featured anti-trans remarks from the comedian.
"Negative reviews and viewers loudly condemning his latest special is a message to the industry that audiences don't support platforming anti-LGBTQ diatribes," GLAAD said in a statement at the time. "We agree."
Dave Chappelle's brand has become synonymous with ridiculing trans people and other marginalized communities. Negative reviews and viewers loudly condemning his latest special is a message to the industry that audiences don't support platforming anti-LGBTQ diatribes. We agree. https://t.co/yOIyT54819