British comedian and actor Ricky Gervais has used his latest Netflix stand-up special to weigh in on the ongoing transgender row recently consuming the Western world.
In typical Gervais fashion, “The Office” sitcom writer turned Hollywood star used provocation and satire to comment on the transgender issue, the perceived demise of the two gender structure, and the militant nature in which LGBTQ activists respond to any critique of their liberal agenda.
Four minutes into the hour-long Netflix special of his new stand-up set, “SuperNature,” Gervais appeared to ridicule the lack of common sense which he says now exists during the transgender debate, claiming that although he supports rights for the transgender community, “women with a penis” bother him.
“I love the new women. They’re great, aren’t they? The new ones we’ve been seeing lately. The ones with beards and cocks,” Gervais told the audience.
“They’re as good as gold, I love them. And now the old-fashioned ones say, ‘Oh, they want to use our toilets.’ ‘Why shouldn’t they use your toilets?’ ‘For ladies!’ ‘They are ladies: look at their pronouns!” Gervais quipped to much applause.
“‘What about this person isn’t a lady?’ ‘Well, his penis.’ ‘Her penis, you fucking bigot!’ ‘What if he rapes me?’ ‘What if she rapes you, you fucking TERF whore?’” he added.
Commenting on the attempt to cancel fellow comedians and actors, including Kevin Hart and Liam Neeson, Gervais claimed that comedy and offense are subjective, and that one cannot state that a joke or a statement is offensive as fact, it may simply be the case that the listener has taken offense to a particular comment, something Gervais considers to be an important distinction.
Towards the end of the special, Gervais reverted back to the transgender debate, stating his unequivocal support for the rights of transgender people.
“In real life, of course, I support trans rights. I support all human rights, and trans rights are human rights,” Gervais told the audience.
“Live your best life. Use your preferred pronouns. Be the gender that you feel you are. But meet me halfway, ladies. Lose the cock. That’s all I’m saying.”
Progressives criticize Gervais in response
Several people appeared on social media networks to condemn Gervais for his comments with some claiming to have canceled their Netflix subscriptions due to the offense taken.
According to them, Gervais had downplayed the issues of transgender people, while others described the humor as distasteful, stupid, and claimed Gervais was simply hateful.
However, many people also offered a staunch defense for the comedian’s right to express his views and to use comedy to tackle an important social debate, while others thanked him for saying out loud what they feel unable to freely say in today’s society.
