Controversy Over Animation Featuring an LGBTQ+ Main Character
Musk Joins the Debate: "I’ve Already Canceled My Subscription"
Netflix, the world’s largest video streaming service, is facing intense criticism from the American conservative camp. The controversy has escalated further as Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has personally joined the fray.
According to Yonhap News Agency on October 3, citing U.S. media outlets such as The Hill and Variety, conservative influencers are targeting Netflix’s 2022 original animated series 'Dead End: Paranormal Park' as a problem.
Netflix Has Not Released an Official Statement Yet ... Stock Price on the Decline
The series, which aired a total of 20 episodes over two seasons before ending in 2023, has become the subject of renewed controversy because it includes a scene where the main character comes out as transgender.
In response, the series creator, Hamish Steele, refuted these claims on social media, stating, "The assertion that Netflix is forcing transgender identities on children is entirely false and defamatory." He added, "I am afraid because of the recent wave of attacks, including extremely homophobic and antisemitic emails."
Netflix has not issued an official response to media requests for comment. However, its stock price continues to decline due to the ongoing boycott. According to The Hill, Netflix shares, which were in the $1,200 range on September 29, plummeted by 2.34% to $1,170.90 on October 1, and continued to fall by over 1% during trading on October 2.
Musk: "Cancel for the Sake of Children’s Health"
Right-wing influencers argue that this animation, rated as suitable for viewers aged seven and older, is essentially children’s content, and have launched attacks on this basis. They are urging people to cancel their Netflix subscriptions, claiming that "children must be protected."
On the previous day, Musk shared a post on social media in which a user claimed, "Netflix is forcing transgender propaganda on viewers," and added, "Cancel Netflix for the sake of children’s health."
Musk has continued to make statements opposing transgender and LGBTQ+ rights, especially after his eldest son cut ties with him following a gender transition. He has cited progressive culture as the background for the spread of LGBTQ+ identities. Musk also revealed that he has already canceled his own Netflix subscription, thus lending support to the boycott.
However, Musk’s own social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), has been criticized for effectively allowing adult content and hate speech to proliferate, leading to accusations of hypocrisy regarding his criticism of Netflix.
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