Update 7:40am CT, Oct. 8: Big Mouth co-creator Andrew Goldberg addressed accusations of biphobia and transphobia from fans of the show after a clip from the show went viral and admitted that they “missed the mark here.”
In a statement posted to Twitter via a Notes app screenshot, Goldberg thanked those who expressed concern and promised to do better in future seasons of Big Mouth.
“We missed the mark here with this definition of bisexuality vs. pansexuality, and my fellow creators and I sincerely apologize for making people feel misrepresented,” Goldberg wrote. “Any time we try to define something as complex as human sexuality, it’s super challenging, and this time we could have done better. Thank you to the trans, pan, and bi communities for further opening our eyes to these important and complicated issues of representation. We are listening and we look forward to delving into all of this in future seasons.”
https://twitter.com/BigMouthAndrew/status/1181331612430032896
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Netflix’s edgy, animated adult comedy Big Mouth is facing some internet backlash after the premiere of its third season on Friday.
In a clip shared by the streaming service’s comedy account, a new character voiced by comedian Ali Wong introduces herself to the class and announces that she’s pansexual.
The character, also named Ali, says bisexuality means you’re only into cisgender men and women but that pansexuality includes attraction to transgender people and “everyone in between.”
“Bisexual is so binary,” Ali says, then adds, “being pansexual means my sexual preference isn’t limited by gender identity.”
https://twitter.com/NetflixIsAJoke/status/1180543722695663616
But many bisexual, pansexual, and transgender Twitter users are expressing their discomfort with the scene. Actress Mara Wilson, who starred in Matilda and came out as bisexual in 2016, said it was “wrong and irresponsible” of the show to describe bisexuality this way because it was “presented as truth within the show.”
This is wrong and irresponsible. I get that it’s a comedy, but this is presented as truth within the show. Very disappointing.
And to those who think Bi’s aren’t attracted to or don’t date transgender or NB people… I could introduce you to some people who know otherwise. https://t.co/iV0Eaq7CCI
— Mara Wilson (@MaraWilson) October 7, 2019
Many especially took issue with the notion that bisexuality is exclusive of transgender and nonbinary individuals and the implication that trans men and women are inferior to their cis counterparts.
Wow, thanks for using the one of the rare instances my sexuality(pansexual) gets talked about in media to be biphobic, transphobic and literally get all of the definitions wrong.
If you’re going to explain stuff like this in your show, actually know what you’re talking about.
— RestlessDreams (Audrey)⚢ (@DreamsRestless) October 6, 2019
Bisexual activist Robyn Ochs told media monitoring organization GLAAD that despite common misconceptions, bisexual people have “the potential to be attracted – romantically and/or sexually—to people of more than one sex and/or gender, not necessarily at the same time, not necessarily in the same way, and not necessarily to the same degree.” GLAAD further explains that pansexuality “presents an additional opportunity to express attraction to multiple genders.”
While many individuals are unhappy with the script, some Big Mouth fans argued that Wong’s character is a catalyst to further explore biphobia on the show. One of the main characters ends up coming out as bisexual after exploring his sexuality in previous episodes.
https://twitter.com/MarxistLinenist/status/1181211477237211141
“If you guys have followed big mouth you know that it portrais problematic behaviors and mentality and exaggerates to SHOW where the problem is. this girl is clearly biphobic, homophobic and lowkey transphobic, and if you could see that, congrats, you got the message,” Twitter user @whinydaniel wrote.
Netflix did not immediately respond to the Daily Dot’s request for comment.
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