Ricky Gervaisis under fire for what some consider to be transphobic tweets, just weeks before he isset to hosttheGolden Globe Awardsfor the fifth time.On Friday, Gervais, 58, responded to a tweet regardingHarry PotterauthorJ.K. Rowling‘s support of a British researcher who was fired after expressing anti-transgender sentiments. (Rowling faced backlash aftertweeting her support of Maya Forstater on Thursdayafter Forstater lost a court hearing challenging her termination from the Centre for Global Development.)The tweet that Gervais replied to contained a link to a satirical article that was written from the “perspective” of a transgender woman.“Those awful biological women can never understand what it must be like for you becoming a lovely lady so late in life,” Gervaistweeted. “They take their girly privileges for granted. Winning at female sports and having their own toilets. Well, enough is enough.”A rep for Gervais did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.Cindy Ord/GettyWhen a Twitter user responded to Gervais’ tweet writing, “Kindness is magic,” the comedianreplied: “Exactly. We need to protect the rights of women. Not erode them because some men have found a new cunning way to dominate and demonize an entire sex.”“But if I’ve said anything transphobic you should report me,” Gervaisrespondedto another tweet. “Twitter has rules in place to guard against that sort of vile bigotry. My account will be closed down and you’ll be proved right and will have saved millions of lives. Why aren’t you doing this?”However, in another reply, Gervaisclaimedthat his original tweet was “a joke tweet to a spoof account.”“Ah, you’ve confused a joke tweet to a spoof account with my true feelings,” he wrote. “But to answer your question I have nothing against anyone looking after their mental health. Be well.”“Just checking you realize my tweet was sarcasm,” Gervaisaddedin another reply. “Not a problem either way, but I don’t want you to look silly.”“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 fromGame of Thrones,” the star wrote inanother tweeton Saturday. “Hopefully, science, truth & common sense has all the dragons.”In a separateresponse, Gervais added: “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.”In November, it wasannouncedthat Gervais would host the upcoming 77th annualGolden Globes, making his fifth time hosting the awards show.News of Gervais’ casting came after more awards shows have opted to forgo an emcee altogether, starting with theAcademy Awardsin February of this year. When controversy caused the previously announced Oscars hostKevin Hartto step down, the Academy proceeded with ahost-less program.Gervais — who won a Golden Globe in 2004 for his performance inThe Office‘s original U.K. series— previously hosted the show in 2010, 2011,2012and2016.He will now hold the record for the performer who has hosted the Globes the most.
Ricky Gervaisis under fire for what some consider to be transphobic tweets, just weeks before he isset to hosttheGolden Globe Awardsfor the fifth time.
On Friday, Gervais, 58, responded to a tweet regardingHarry PotterauthorJ.K. Rowling‘s support of a British researcher who was fired after expressing anti-transgender sentiments. (Rowling faced backlash aftertweeting her support of Maya Forstater on Thursdayafter Forstater lost a court hearing challenging her termination from the Centre for Global Development.)
The tweet that Gervais replied to contained a link to a satirical article that was written from the “perspective” of a transgender woman.
“Those awful biological women can never understand what it must be like for you becoming a lovely lady so late in life,” Gervaistweeted. “They take their girly privileges for granted. Winning at female sports and having their own toilets. Well, enough is enough.”
A rep for Gervais did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Cindy Ord/Getty
When a Twitter user responded to Gervais’ tweet writing, “Kindness is magic,” the comedianreplied: “Exactly. We need to protect the rights of women. Not erode them because some men have found a new cunning way to dominate and demonize an entire sex.”
“But if I’ve said anything transphobic you should report me,” Gervaisrespondedto another tweet. “Twitter has rules in place to guard against that sort of vile bigotry. My account will be closed down and you’ll be proved right and will have saved millions of lives. Why aren’t you doing this?”
However, in another reply, Gervaisclaimedthat his original tweet was “a joke tweet to a spoof account.”
“Ah, you’ve confused a joke tweet to a spoof account with my true feelings,” he wrote. “But to answer your question I have nothing against anyone looking after their mental health. Be well.”
“Just checking you realize my tweet was sarcasm,” Gervaisaddedin another reply. “Not a problem either way, but I don’t want you to look silly.”
“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 fromGame of Thrones,” the star wrote inanother tweeton Saturday. “Hopefully, science, truth & common sense has all the dragons.”
In a separateresponse, Gervais added: “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.”
In November, it wasannouncedthat Gervais would host the upcoming 77th annualGolden Globes, making his fifth time hosting the awards show.
News of Gervais’ casting came after more awards shows have opted to forgo an emcee altogether, starting with theAcademy Awardsin February of this year. When controversy caused the previously announced Oscars hostKevin Hartto step down, the Academy proceeded with ahost-less program.
Gervais — who won a Golden Globe in 2004 for his performance inThe Office‘s original U.K. series— previously hosted the show in 2010, 2011,2012and2016.He will now hold the record for the performer who has hosted the Globes the most.
source: people.com
