Iāve 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.Ā
Having seen the news that Richard Ayoade had supplied a quote endorsing Graham Linehanās truly shit looking new memoir - I expressed my disappointment on twitter and as is to be expected; some people (nutcases) werenāt happy about it. Iāve been called a man more times this week than I think I ever have. Itās almost as if someone is directing them to do it? I wouldnāt ever imply something so conspiratorial, though.Ā
The reason I was bummed out about it though, was primarily because Iām a big fan of Richard Ayoade. I respect him as a writer & performer - in fact, Garth Marenghiās 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 Linehanās 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 āboys clubā where peers rub each otherās 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 heās 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.Ā
The Daily Mail quoted a tweet I made about Ayoade in an article, without my permission obviously,Ā which screamed in its headline āTrans Activists Try To Cancel Richard Ayoadeā. Here is the tweet in question:Ā
āJust tore down my topless Richard Ayoade poster smh (sad emoji)ā
Aside from this clearly being a joke, itās 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 āTrans Activistā (not that that is even a bad thing). Iām proud to be a āTrans Activistā 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 āTrans Activistā theyāre trying to rob me of my personhood. I donāt just speak up because Iām an antagonistic tranny trying to ruin Linehanās day. I speak up, because Iām a PERSON who thinks Graham Linehan is a huge cunt. And, if youāre friends with him, shame on you.Ā
I donāt want to feel disappointed. I want for the people I admire in comedy to get a backbone and try a little harder to see whatās going on.Ā
Thank you so much for continuing to support my writing! - Jen x