Controversial meme sparks conversation about LGBTQ+ representation: ’Every gay person is very necessary'
Recently, one Twitter user had to learn the hard way that Netflix is willing to defend any and all of its characters.
“Every damn new series,” Twitter user AdamSB__ captioned a meme of Netflix shoving “an unnecessary gay character” into “any new series.”
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Well, Netflix saw the meme, and they weren’t a fan.
“Sorry you have yet to realize that every gay person is very necessary,” the streaming giant responded.
sorry you have yet to realize that every gay person is very necessary https://t.co/xTOEcLWryc
— Netflix (@netflix) May 6, 2020
Many people rushed to the comments to come to Netflix’s defense.
“NETFLIX SAID LGBTQ RIGHTS!!! THE STRAIGHTS ARE UPSET!!!” one person joked.
“i. hope the peeps who rt’d & liked this are enjoying the 99% of content that remains sinfully boring & straight- it’s for u!” Broadway actor Ben Platt wrote. “ii. love u @netflix keep the queer content coming iii. moving forward id like everyone to pls refer to me exclusively as ‘unnecessary gay character.'”
i. hope the peeps who rt’d & liked this are enjoying the 99% of content that remains sinfully boring & straight- it’s for u!
ii. love u @netflix keep the queer content coming
iii. moving forward id like everyone to pls refer to me exclusively as ‘unnecessary gay character’ 😘 https://t.co/bB9K5POpKy— Ben Platt (@BenSPLATT) May 6, 2020
Some people, however, sided with the creator of the meme, arguing that Netflix continues to create gay characters simply so they can say they have them.
“Or, and work with me on this Netflix, maybe there’s more to a gay person than just being gay,” one person said.
“Having straight or gay people isn’t the problem,” another user added. “It’s when they throw in a gay person just to make the show ‘diverse.'”
Though Netflix has been criticized before for using gay characters as a way to broaden its audience, there’s no denying that the platform has done wonders for LGBTQ+ representation. In 2019, GLAAD reported that Netflix had “the highest number of LGBTQ regular and recurring characters on their scripted originals among streaming services.”
If you enjoyed this story, check out this gay man’s sweet tribute to his straight friend.
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