Irish Broadcaster RTE has been criticised for the negative portrayal of a trans* character in a new sitcom.
‘The Centre’ is a new sitcom that debuted on the network this week. The show follows the lives of staff at a community centre on a Dublin housing estate.
The show features a character named Nuala, played by actor Gary Clark.
Broden Gainbrone, the CEO of Ireland’s Transgender Equity Network has described the show as a return to the dark ages.
“Nuala is the stock character of a ‘man in a dress’ played for cheap laughs.
“Not only is she is referred to as ‘king kong in a thong’ but there are references made to her surgical status, her hormone levels, body hair and adam’s apple. At no point is the audience laughing with Nuala, they are laughing at her.
“The Centre masquerades as edgy by poking fun at minority groups. Unfortunately, we see the very real effects of how this type of ‘humour’ contributes to the marginalisation of the trans community. [It] is a throwback to the dark ages of television and RTÉ should do better.”
Columnist Lisa McInerney has also been critical of the show. Writing in her column for The Journal, McInerney described the show as “an overwound attempt at cross breeding Little Britain and The Brittas Empire.”
McInerney labels the show “more cruel than crude” arguing that minority groups should not be the fodder for unimaginative comedy writing.
The broadcaster has confirmed it received 24 complaints about the show following the broadcast of it’s first episode but defended the character describing her as a positive LGBT character.
Responding to questions from ‘The Journal’ Bill Malone, Channel Controller for RTÉ Two, told the newspaper that the “Transgendered character” Nuala is “actually a positive LGBT character.”
“‘The Centre’ is a comedy full of exaggerated characters. Nualla is a Transgendered character accepted unreservedly by her co-workers and those who use ‘The Centre’, and while comical, is actually a positive LGBT character.” argued Mr Malone.
OIP Staff
