I Canceled Richard Ayoade
And I’ll Cancel You Next [15.09.23]
I’ve been on holiday this week, and although I did manage to stay offline for a lot of it (data roaming charges) I did have periods where I was connected to WiFi, and in those short periods I yet again managed to get myself into trouble.
Having seen the news that Richard Ayoade had supplied a quote endorsing Graham Linehan’s truly shit looking new memoir - I expressed my disappointment on twitter and as is to be expected; some people (nutcases) weren’t happy about it. I’ve been called a man more times this week than I think I ever have. It’s almost as if someone is directing them to do it? I wouldn’t ever imply something so conspiratorial, though.
The reason I was bummed out about it though, was primarily because I’m a big fan of Richard Ayoade. I respect him as a writer & performer - in fact, Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace is one of my favourite comedies of all time. I also perceive him as a pretty liberal guy, having worked with a lot of my favorite comedians (some of whom I know personally). But the endorsement of Linehan’s book seemed to me to be an indication that he either supported Linehan in his transphobic endeavors, or was too ignorant to understand the truth of it. Both are awful scenarios. It honestly hurts my brain how often I see otherwise smart seeming people fall into the web of utter lies that Linehan has woven, and the frankly pathetic attempts at victimhood when all he seems to do is victimize. Worst of all, it makes me despair at the comedy industry, because it hints at a new, slightly more subtle ‘boys club’ where peers rub each other’s backs and look out for one another, at the total expense of LGBT people. Yes Ayoade seems like a quirky, sensitive, nice man on television - but if he’s aligning himself with an utterly deviant shit stirring transphobe bullying psychopath like Linehan, then how much can we trust his judgment? These things are getting more and more frequent and they sometimes make me question how much I even want to be a part of this industry - one that not only forgets about and mistreats trans people, but also actively works to repel and exclude us.
The Daily Mail quoted a tweet I made about Ayoade in an article, without my permission obviously, which screamed in its headline “Trans Activists Try To Cancel Richard Ayoade”. Here is the tweet in question:
“Just tore down my topless Richard Ayoade poster smh (sad emoji)”
Aside from this clearly being a joke, it’s disturbing to me that as a trans person I cannot express a disappointment, opinion, critique or even light hearted frustration in the form of a joke, without being branded a “Trans Activist” (not that that is even a bad thing). I’m proud to be a ‘Trans Activist’ especially considering I AM trans. Do people honestly expect trans people to NOT act in their best interests against prejudice? But the label is now used to dismiss any trans person who has any misgiving about their place in society whatsoever. By labeling me a ‘Trans Activist’ they’re trying to rob me of my personhood. I don’t just speak up because I’m an antagonistic tranny trying to ruin Linehan’s day. I speak up, because I’m a PERSON who thinks Graham Linehan is a huge cunt. And, if you’re friends with him, shame on you.
I don’t want to feel disappointed. I want for the people I admire in comedy to get a backbone and try a little harder to see what’s going on.
Thank you so much for continuing to support my writing! - Jen x