Ricky Gervaisis clarifying some jokes he made on Twitter that other users found transphobic.
The comedian, 58, initially 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 Forstaterafter 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.”
Ina new interview withThe Hollywood Reporter, published days before he’s once again set to host the Golden Globe Awards, Gervais explained how the jokes came to be — and how he feels they were taken in the wrong context.
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“Now, people saw my tweet and they thought he’s a real trans person, but I’m taking the piss out of Jarvis Dupont, who is actually a woman in real life. And this is the problem,” he continued. “You can say, ‘Listen, I was joking. It’s a joke.’ But that’s not always enough for people. They go, ‘Well, why were you joking?’ Also, add to that the nature of Twitter — it’s so curt, there’s no nuance, it’s there forever out of context.”
“Deep down, I want people to know I’m not a racist or a homophobe or a sexist,” he added.
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In November, it wasannouncedthat Gervais would host the upcoming 77th annual Golden 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.
The Golden Globes air Sunday on NBC.
source: people.com
