Netflix is not anti-trans – it’s pro-freedom of speech

The Twitter outrage over Ricky Gervais's 'transphobic' new show is all too predictable – and entirely misplaced

‘Sex sells” used to be the motto of anyone in the entertainment business. Today, political controversy has taken over nudity in the push to drive up numbers. No one knows this better than Netflix bosses, who have yet again hit the headlines for streaming Ricky Gervais’ latest comedy special, SuperNature.

Anyone with a Twitter account knows that Gervais is no stranger to stirring the pot of political outrage – and so his jokes about trans ideology and pronouns were hardly a shock. (Also, he’s been telling these jokes onstage since 2019.) Despite repeatedly telling audiences during the recording that “that won’t make the special!”, Gervais’ pop at the hypocrisy of trans activists (who preach the politics of kindness while calling women who disagree dinosaurs) has proven to be one of the best gags in the show.

Even journalists like me who are somewhat tired of the daily Terf-trans punch-up on social media had to chuckle at Gervais’ observation about the bigotry of making accusations of rape while using the wrong pronouns.

Unsurprisingly, Gervais has produced headlines (just not all supportive). But Netflix knows by now that no publicity is bad publicity, and that the Independent’s review describing the show as the “humiliation of trans people” would provoke the kind of conversation about Gervais’ performance that might send a few more people to try it out for themselves.

Fellow comedian Nish Kumar’s 2018 take-down of Gervais as “just the same as every other rich white dude comedian who gets too successful, runs out of ideas, and so just s____ on the latest minority group” went viral (again) acting as something of an advert on social media for the Netflix special, as has a similar routine by James Acaster, Pink News described it as an “anti-trans garbage fire”, complaining that Gervais “jokes at the LGBTQ+ community’s expense” throughout the show.

A protest in support of a Netflix employee walkout prompted by Dave Chappelle's new comedy special, in Los AngelesCredit: Reuters

The furore was made worse by Netflix boss Ted Sarandos, who initially released a memo defending Chapelle as “one of the most popular stand-up comedians today” and that the platform’s commitment to creative freedom means “there will always be content on Netflix some people believe is harmful”, but later backtracked. “I should’ve made sure to recognise that a group of our employees was hurting very badly from the decision made”, he told the press, after realising that protesters calling for cancellation are unlikely to have much respect for “creative freedom”.

Is Netflix a transphobic “garbage fire”? Not if you take its long list of shows celebrating, promoting and highlighting the success and interest in trans stories. Last month in celebration of “Trans Day of Visibility”, its (now closed) bonus site Tudum posted an article linking to all the shows you might like to watch if you were a fan of trans content – including Disclosure, a documentary featuring Laverne Cox which explores the “depiction of trans characters, their impact on the community and American culture”.

Netflix has long hosted Sense8, the sci-fi hit created by Hollywood trans sisters Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski. Netflix’s popular show The Umbrella Academy also features Elliot Page, who played Vanya Hargreeves in the first two series, and will now play Viktor Hargreeves in the third, with the character transitioning to use “he/him” pronouns to match the actor’s transition in real life. When Page announced the change, Netflix retweeted it with encouragement: “Welcome to the family, Viktor – we’re so happy you’re here.”

Welcome to the family, Viktor — we’re so happy you’re here ❤️ https://t.co/hQwD4Vvlkd
— Netflix (@netflix) March 29, 2022

Perhaps this shows that Netflix – unlike most broadcasters – really is attempting to commit to creative freedom, no matter what the content contains. (Religious fundamentalists are most likely outraged by the inclusion of trans visibility and LGBTQ+ content on a streaming platform, they’re just not as good at using Twitter.)

In fact, the company made its commitment to free speech crystal clear in a recent update of its employees’ handbook, which warns staff they may find themselves working on content “counter to our own personal values… If you’d find it hard to support our content breadth,” it continues, “Netflix may not be the best place for you.”

But it’s more likely the case that the streaming giant understands a little Twitter controversy goes a long way – especially when it comes to comedy. The beauty of a streaming site is that, unlike programmed television, viewers have greater freedom over what they want to watch. The lesson to those complaining about Gervais, Chappelle or any other comedian telling jokes you don’t like is: turn over.