Ricky Gervais responds to backlash over 'transphobic' tweets ahead of Golden Globes hosting gig
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Ricky Gervais is slamming outcry over a tweet some people deemed to be transphobic.
It all started when Gervais, who is getting ready to host the Golden Globe Awards for the fifth time, chimed in on the controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling. Last week, the Harry Potter author was accused of transphobia for supporting a British researcher who was fired after expressing anti-transgender sentiments. The comedian joked about the situation when replying to a tweet containing a link to a parody story.
Those awful biological women can never understand what it must be like for you becoming a lovely lady so late in life. They take their girly privileges for granted. Winning at female sports and having their own toilets. Well, enough is enough.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) December 20, 2019
On Monday, Gervais addressed the criticism. "It used to be considered reasonable to listen & try to understand both sides of an argument," he wrote. "But now, if opposing extremists are screaming at each other & you don’t agree 100% with either, you’re considered the enemy of both. It’s why many people are afraid to contribute at all."
He added, "Twitter is like being able to read every toilet wall in the world."
It used to be considered reasonable to listen & try to understand both sides of an argument. But now, if opposing extremists are screaming at each other & you don’t agree 100% with either, you’re considered the enemy of both. It’s why many people are afraid to contribute at all.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) December 23, 2019
Twitter is like being able to read every toilet wall in the world.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) December 23, 2019
Gervais has been defending himself in recent days after the backlash.
I fear that some people’s inability to discuss sensitive or contentious issues without insult or threat will lead to society ending like a battle scene from Game Of Thrones. Hopefully, science, truth & common sense has all the dragons.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) December 21, 2019
I do. I also make jokes about AIDS, Cancer, Famine and The Holocaust. Those things do a bit of harm too. But jokes don't. Have a nice day.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) December 21, 2019
Exactly. We need to protect the rights of women. Not erode them because some men have found a new cunning way to dominate and demonise an entire sex.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) December 20, 2019
When a user asked him to clarify his stance on transgender women, he wrote, "I think trans women are women."
Sure. I think trans women are women. I wasn’t talking about trans people 🙏
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) December 21, 2019
He also noted how his initial tweet was "a joke tweet to a spoof account" that did not represent his "true feelings."
Ah, you’ve confused a joke tweet to a spoof account with my true feelings. But to answer your question I have nothing against anyone looking after their mental health. Be well 😇
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) December 20, 2019
When someone called him "f****** gross," Gervais replied, "Just checking you realise my tweet was sarcasm. Not a problem either way, but I don’t want you to look silly."
But it's not all controversy on Gervais's timeline. The British actor is eagerly promoting his upcoming gig as host of the 2020 Golden Globe Awards, retweeting new promos for the highly-anticipated show.
Hollywood isn't ready. @rickygervais hosts The #GoldenGlobes January 5. pic.twitter.com/zQU94dUca2
— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) December 23, 2019
Ricky Gervais Has the Perfect Golden Globes Drinking Game for Viewers to Play https://t.co/KZplmxBYLV
— E! News (@enews) December 23, 2019
The Golden Globe Awards air Sunday, Jan. 5 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
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