Netizens raised over $27,000 for Trans Lifeline in response to an insensitive, transphobic joke made by Republican Mike Huckabee.
On Saturday, Huckabee made a rude comment on Twitter referencing Boys Don’t Cry, a 1999 film about a young man murdered for being trans:
Breaking news from Hollywood! Sen. Chuck Schumer cast in lead role for remake of "Boys Don't Cry."
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) February 5, 2017
The internet was displeased with the joke, firstly because it uses a murdered trans man as a punchline, and second because it’s a really ugly drag on victims of the Holocaust as well.
Sen. Schumer, fighting back tears: “This executive order was mean-spirited and un-American… It must be reversed” https://t.co/dxZ3XtJV7H pic.twitter.com/6hUlVkRVoG
— CNN (@CNN) January 30, 2017
See, Huckabee was poking fun at Schumer for getting emotional while discussing Trump’s ban on Muslim refugees. The issue of refugees is very personal to Schumer, because his great-grandmother died in the Holocaust.
Mike Huckabee, you dick.
His family was murdered in the Holocaust. That's a movie about killing a transgender boy. You nailed this joke. https://t.co/ayRqrmcATr
— Zach Braff (@zachbraff) February 5, 2017
The internet was disgusted, naturally, but fortunately they turned this turd of a joke into turdinade.
Turn a heartless joke into a heartfelt action & donate to @Translifeline in Brandon Teena's memory. I am! https://t.co/JxaGxjn82e
— Cameron Esposito (@cameronesposito) February 5, 2017
Lesbian comedian Cameron Esposito launched a fundraiser for Trans Lifeline. They’ve raised over $27,000 so far in just three days.
(Header image via Gage Skidmore)
