I Heart Neil Gaiman
Gaiman recently appeared on Colbert (who I also heart, except when he’s being transphobic) and talked about his most recent book and about how it’s OK to have dark children’s literature. I’m a huge Gaimen fan, and love watching him interact with Colbert (and, near the end, geeking out about Lord of the Rings):
Themocracy
When is Colbert transphobic? And how is it different from when he is being homophobic and conservative, which are both obviously satire? (This is not an attack, I am curious to hear what you have to say).
I think you’re definitely correct in that he’s ‘homophobic’ and ‘conservative’ (intentional ironic air-quotes), and it’s possible I’m being overly sensitive and he’s really tongue-in-cheek-transphobic and not actually just transphobic.
But when Colbert is making gay jokes, I feel like there’s an attitude of ‘laughing with you’ rather than ‘laughing at you.’ For example, when he interviewed the president of the HRC, Colbert provided an excellent example of himself playing a ridiculous character to highlight the stupidity of opponents of gay rights.
However, I feel like when Colbert makes trans jokes – suggesting that a female guest was a “she-male,” referencing “trannies” as “dangerous characters” from whom soldiers need to be protected, and saying he plans to take down the Democratic Party by revealing Ed Rendell is “a tranny” – there’s more of an aspect of ‘laughing at you.’
Again, I may just be overly sensitive and not really viewing things objectively, so feel free to weigh in if you disagree.
-R