John Krasinksi as Jack Ryan. | Photo: Facebook
A hugely anticipated new show on Amazon Prime has come under fire for using a transphobic slur just hours after its release.
Starring The Office’s (US) John Krasinki, Jack Ryan, tells the story of said CIA analyst. Ryan tracks a group of potential terrorists who they believe to be the ‘next Osama Bin Laden’.
The hunt for the terrorists is seen from many different perspectives including that of soldier Victor Polizzi. The soldier has become disillusioned with his role as missile launcher for US drones.
After a drunken night where he ends up assaulted and with a black eye, his colleague turns to ask him about it.
‘Did you accidentally pick up another tranny on Fremont St?’ his colleague asks. To which Polizzi replies with an adamant ‘no’.
This shit is repulsive @jackryanamazon. Trans women die from pick up violence. This isn’t funny. This is real life. pic.twitter.com/S6782JwrSb
— Eliel Cruz (@elielcruz) September 1, 2018
Transphobia is never ok
The outcry came quickly on social media. Many Twitter users pointed out the offensive comment came just a day after two more trans women were murdered in the US. So far, 18 trans women have been murdered in 2018, 13 of which are women of color.
‘When we trivialize the violence trans women face, both in our language and in dismissing the realities of hate and pick up violence, we contribute to, and perpetuate, that violence,’ wrote Eliel Cruz on Twitter.
Cruz is the communication director of the Anti Violence Project which provides support to LGBTI and HIV communities when faced with violence. Cruz had just finished writing a memoriam to the two murdered women when he saw the episode.
‘This shit is repulsive @jackryanamazon. Trans women die from pick up violence. This isn’t funny. This is real life,’ Cruz wrote.
Many people agreed and took to Twitter to show their disgust, with some vowing to either not watch the show or cancel their Amazon Prime subscription altogether.
Here are some of their reactions:
I mean I already wasn’t planning on watching @jackryanamazon, but now I’m DEFINITELY not watching… https://t.co/IAzQLU9Lfq
— RJ Aguiar (@DamnItRJ) September 1, 2018
Perhaps someone can explain why Amazon is out here marketing transphobia in 2018–especially after “Transparent made them relevant. https://t.co/TSqTg8LlUG
— Ashlee Marie Preston (@AshleeMPreston) September 1, 2018
Hey @jackryanamazon, this is unacceptable because it bolsters the idea that trans women aren’t women, and that men should be ashamed for being involved with them. These kinds of toxic cultural ideas lead to the murder of trans women of color REGULARLY. You need to do better. https://t.co/O8upXBAtmU
— Austen Hartke (@AustenLionheart) September 1, 2018
In the year of Pose 2018–when trans people are still being killed at staggering rates—I refuse to acknowledge that anyone would write a joke at the expense of trans folks and one that includes a slur at that. https://t.co/3ZHI0YLVaJ
— J. Dylan Sandifer (@jdylan901) September 1, 2018
Love being the butt of the joke when I see my sisters being murdered every day and their murderers getting away with it because obviously “trannys” dont matter. Canceling my prime membership been meaning to do it because of how they treat their workers too @amazon @jackryanamazon https://t.co/aBTCfjT7Cb
— Tall-yuh 💋 (@Tahlia_Rene) September 1, 2018
Hey, @jackryanamazon. I’m a trans woman who has survived an actual terrorist attack in real life, ran toward the attacker, and then spent the next 12 months shifting entire military policy. You wanna explain the use of this slur to my face, you cowards?https://t.co/5OqH6Xxylt
— Emily G (@EmilyGorcenski) September 1, 2018
Gay Star News has reached out to Amazon for comment.
