Is Ricky Gervais's Trans-Focused Comedy Offensive?

@ 2026 Equal Entertainment LLC.
All rights reserved

        Is Ricky Gervais's Trans-Focused Comedy Offensive?
    Comedian Dana Goldberg talks to Jessie Gender and feminism editor Tracy E. Gilchrist about whether the British comedian went too far.
 
play icon
 Advocate Video Team
          
          Mar 21, 2018
          
        
Advocate Video Team
 See Full Bio 

        
        FROM OUR SPONSORS
        
    

        
        The Latest
        
    
People
        NBC apologizes for misgendering trailblazing trans Olympian Elis Lundholm
    "We apologize to Elis and our viewers," NBC Sports said in a statement.
Ariel Messman-Rucker
Crime
        How a viral interview led to Ts Madison's restraining order against the 'DL Whisperer'
    "He wanted to watch me take my last breath," Madison tells our sister brand, Out, in an exclusive interview.
Marie-Adélina de la Ferrière
Arts & Entertainment
        Was 'Boots' canceled over politics? 'Absolutely not,' Netflix CEO says
    Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has broken his silence on the cancelation of Boots, a gay TV series set in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Bernardo Sim
Politics
        New York City Council advances resolution opposing Stonewall Pride flag removal
    The cultural affairs committee advanced the resolution Wednesday.
Jack Walker

        
        More For You
        
        Utah Republicans, ignoring their own study, pass ban on gender-affirming care for youth
    
Ryan Adamczeski
Feb 06, 2026
Utah Republicans have passed a bill restricting gender-affirming care for youth, ignoring research they commissioned.

        Venture Out Media / Shutterstock.com
    
        Utah Republicans have passed three separate bills restricting gender-affirming care for youth, ignoring research they commissioned which concluded the treatment is safe and beneficial. Keep Reading →

        Texas A&M fired a professor for teaching about gender identity. Now, she's suing
    
Ryan Adamczeski
Feb 05, 2026
Texas A&M professor Melissa McCoul, who was fired for teaching about gender identity, has filed a lawsuit against the university, accusing officials of violating her First Amendment rights. 

        Courtesy Texas A&M; University; Grindstone Media Group/Shutterstock
    
        The Texas A&M professor who was fired for teaching about gender identity has filed a lawsuit against the university, accusing officials of violating her First Amendment rights. Keep Reading →

        Nicki Minaj attacks trans kids—again
    
Mey Rude
Feb 04, 2026
Nicki Minaj has been praising Donald Trump in recent months, and most recently has taken aim at trans youth.

        Win McNamee/Getty Images
    
        Rapper Nicki Minaj continues her far-right spiral as she furthers her transformation into a conservative mouthpiece by citing anti-trans talking points on a recent podcast episode. Keep Reading →

        Indiana advances bill that would 'mandate discrimination' against trans people, ACLU warns
    
Ryan Adamczeski
Feb 03, 2026
A new bill advancing in Indiana contains multiple policies targeting transgender people, including preventing them from updating their documents or using facilities based on gender identity. 
Chris Allan/Shuttershock.com
    
        A new bill advancing in Indiana contains multiple policies targeting transgender people, including preventing them from updating their documents or using facilities based on gender identity. Keep Reading →

        This transgender Space Force veteran’s service didn’t end when Trump’s military pushed her out
    
Christopher Wiggins
Feb 02, 2026
Former Space Force Master Sergeant Sabrina Bruce is turning outrage into political power.

        Courtesy Sabrina Bruce
    
        A transgender veteran who was forced out of the military refuses to step into the shadows. Instead, she is mustering her anger and her skills to affect change through political engagement. Keep Reading →

        Most Popular
        
News
        Canadian school shooting sparks anti-trans uproar after shooter identified
    Authorities have identified the shooter that killed eight people as an 18-year-old local resident.
Ryan Adamczeski
Arts & Entertainment
        Actor James Van Der Beek has died at age 48
    The actor is survived by his wife and six children.
Ariel Messman-Rucker
News
        Gay Days Orlando canceled, citing sponsor losses and mounting pressures on LGBTQ+ gatherings
    It was supposed to be the event's 35th anniversary in June.
Christopher Wiggins
Opinion
        I watched the Kid Rock Turning Point USA halftime show so you don't have to
    Opinion: "I have no problem with lip syncing, but you'd think the side that hates drag queens so much would have a little more shame about it," writes Ryan Adamczeski. 
Ryan Adamczeski
Politics
        Former State Dept officials warn that racist Trump nominee could dismantle human rights protections at the UN
    Jeremy Carl has promoted the "great replacement" theory and claims transgender children don't exist, the former senior officials told The Advocate.
Christopher Wiggins
News
        Don Lemon hires ex-federal prosecutor who quit after Trump admin tried to investigate Renee Good's wife
    Joseph H. Thompson was among six prosecutors who resigned last month over the Justice Department’s effort to investigate the wife of Renée Good.
Jack Walker

Site Navigation

Is Ricky Gervais's Trans-Focused Comedy Offensive?

Comedian Dana Goldberg talks to Jessie Gender and feminism editor Tracy E. Gilchrist about whether the British comedian went too far.

The Latest

NBC apologizes for misgendering trailblazing trans Olympian Elis Lundholm

"We apologize to Elis and our viewers," NBC Sports said in a statement.

How a viral interview led to Ts Madison's restraining order against the 'DL Whisperer'

"He wanted to watch me take my last breath," Madison tells our sister brand, Out, in an exclusive interview.

Was 'Boots' canceled over politics? 'Absolutely not,' Netflix CEO says

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has broken his silence on the cancelation of Boots, a gay TV series set in the U.S. Marine Corps.

New York City Council advances resolution opposing Stonewall Pride flag removal

The cultural affairs committee advanced the resolution Wednesday.

Indiana quietly bans trans residents from changing gender markers on IDs

Renowned transgender medicine surgeon defends appearing in Epstein files disclosures

Donald Trump mocks transgender people in Oval Office meeting with Canadian PM, whose child is nonbinary

Pam Bondi wants FBI to offer bounties for ‘radical gender ideology’ groups, leaked memo shows

The Democratic candidate in the Texas Senate race is going to be an LGBTQ+ ally

More For You

Utah Republicans, ignoring their own study, pass ban on gender-affirming care for youth

Texas A&M fired a professor for teaching about gender identity. Now, she's suing

Nicki Minaj attacks trans kids—again

Indiana advances bill that would 'mandate discrimination' against trans people, ACLU warns

This transgender Space Force veteran’s service didn’t end when Trump’s military pushed her out

Most Popular

Canadian school shooting sparks anti-trans uproar after shooter identified

Authorities have identified the shooter that killed eight people as an 18-year-old local resident.

Actor James Van Der Beek has died at age 48

The actor is survived by his wife and six children.

Gay Days Orlando canceled, citing sponsor losses and mounting pressures on LGBTQ+ gatherings

It was supposed to be the event's 35th anniversary in June.

I watched the Kid Rock Turning Point USA halftime show so you don't have to

Opinion: "I have no problem with lip syncing, but you'd think the side that hates drag queens so much would have a little more shame about it," writes Ryan Adamczeski.

Former State Dept officials warn that racist Trump nominee could dismantle human rights protections at the UN

Jeremy Carl has promoted the "great replacement" theory and claims transgender children don't exist, the former senior officials told The Advocate.

Don Lemon hires ex-federal prosecutor who quit after Trump admin tried to investigate Renee Good's wife

Joseph H. Thompson was among six prosecutors who resigned last month over the Justice Department’s effort to investigate the wife of Renée Good.

Latest Stories

Stay up to date with the latest in LGBTQ+ news with The Advocate’s email newsletter, in your inbox five days a week.

Is Ricky Gervais's Trans-Focused Comedy Offensive?

Comedian Dana Goldberg talks to Jessie Gender and feminism editor Tracy E. Gilchrist about whether the British comedian went too far.

FROM OUR SPONSORS

The Latest

"We apologize to Elis and our viewers," NBC Sports said in a statement.

"He wanted to watch me take my last breath," Madison tells our sister brand, Out, in an exclusive interview.

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has broken his silence on the cancelation of Boots, a gay TV series set in the U.S. Marine Corps.

The cultural affairs committee advanced the resolution Wednesday.

More For You

Most Popular

Authorities have identified the shooter that killed eight people as an 18-year-old local resident.

The actor is survived by his wife and six children.

It was supposed to be the event's 35th anniversary in June.

Opinion: "I have no problem with lip syncing, but you'd think the side that hates drag queens so much would have a little more shame about it," writes Ryan Adamczeski.

Jeremy Carl has promoted the "great replacement" theory and claims transgender children don't exist, the former senior officials told The Advocate.

Joseph H. Thompson was among six prosecutors who resigned last month over the Justice Department’s effort to investigate the wife of Renée Good.