Elon Musk calls for Netflix boycott over transgender content in children’s programming

The streaming service saw its stock take a hit after tech billionaire Elon Musk called for a boycott, announcing that he had canceled his subscription and urging others to do the same over the platform’s gender-identity content in multiple shows for children as young as 2. Here’s what you need to know about the controversy and Netflix’s transgender-friendly programming:

Musk’s call to action

Tech billionaire announces Netflix cancellation over children’s content:

• Elon Musk called for boycott, announcing he had canceled his subscription over platform’s gender-identity content in shows for children as young as 2
• “Netflix is deliberately choosing to pay people to create sexualized content for children,” Mr. Musk posted Oct. 3 on X
• “Freedom of speech should be respected, but this is PAID speech. Netflix is going out of their way and reaching into their wallet to push this”
• Mr. Musk is longtime critic of gender ideology

The triggering content

Conservative outlet highlighted transgender characters in children’s shows:

• Mr. Musk jumped in after conservative outlet Libs of TikTok posted clip from “Dead End: Paranormal Park,” animated series about “gay transgender teen boy” who runs away to theme park after facing family rejection
• “I’m trans, Norma, and everyone at school knows, and everyone at home knows,” character tells friend in episode
• “And being here, it’s like a whole new place where I can just be Barney, and I can choose when and if I tell people. I’ve never been happier”
• Show listed for children aged 7 and older, ran for 20 episodes before being canceled in 2023, but remains available on Netflix platform
• Libs of TikTok followed up by posting clips from more than half-dozen kids’ shows available on Netflix that feature gender-bending characters and content
• “Companies cannot keep getting away with pushing radical ideologies such as transgenderism on children,” said Libs of TikTok on its “Cancel Netflix” page

Stock market impact

Netflix market cap drops $15 billion:

• Netflix saw its market cap drop by $15 billion last week after Mr. Musk urged his followers to “cancel Netflix” in Oct. 1 message on X
• Prompted flurry of subscribers to post their cancellation notices
• Streamer recovered some of its losses Tuesday, as its stock price closed at $1,191.06 per share
• Up from last week’s low of $1,139.81, but down from its 52-week high of $1,341.15

Creator controversy

Show creator locked account after assassination controversy:

• Fueling outrage was X post last month reportedly from Hamish Steele, creator of “Dead End: Paranormal Park,” slamming conservative activist Charlie Kirk day after his assassination, as shown in Libs of TikTok screenshot
• Mr. Steele has since locked his account
• He denied that Netflix is promoting show, calling it “all lies and slander!” according to U.S. Sun

Other transgender-themed shows

Multiple programs feature gender-identity content:

• “Dead End: Paranormal Park” isn’t one-off
• Offering children’s content that includes LGBTQ characters, gay weddings and transgender-affirming messaging appears to be feature of streaming service’s business model, not bug
• “The Baby-Sitters Club” included episode about teenage girl, Mary Anne, who tells doctor to stop “misgendering” boy who identifies as girl
• “Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City” showcases “transberry” character
• In 2023 episode of “CoComelon Lane,” boy is encouraged by his gay dads to dance in tiara and tutu (program designed for preschoolers aged 2 and older)
• Show ran 2020-25, was picked up by Disney+ after Netflix decided not to renew it, according to Hollywood Reporter

Animated shows with gender themes

Robots and fantasy characters with pronouns:

• 2023 episode of animated show “Transformers Earthspark” streaming on Netflix includes scene in which girl named Morgan explains that transformer Nightshade uses “they/them” pronouns
• “He or she just doesn’t fit who I am,” says Nightshade
• Another robot apologizes for using Nightshade’s non-preferred pronouns
• In animated fantasy series “The Dragon Prince,” character named Terry says: “Back then, when I was just a little one, the other elves saw me as a doe. But I knew. I always knew that I was a buck”

Documentary content

Netflix features film about youngest Australian to get puberty blockers:

• Also available on Netflix is “The Dreamlife of Georgie Stone,” 2022 documentary about Australian male-to-female transgender actor and activist who became at age 10 youngest person in nation to gain access to puberty blockers for purposes of gender transition

Congressional interest

Republican lawmaker seeks hearing with Netflix executives:

• At least one member of Congress wants to know more about Netflix’s transgender programming
• Rep. Tim Burchett, Tennessee Republican, told conservative podcaster Benny Johnson that he wants to question company executives about their “agenda” at committee hearing

Netflix response

Company has not addressed controversy publicly:

• Netflix has not responded publicly to criticism over its transgender programming
• Washington Times has reached out to company for comment

Read more:

• Netflix sees Musk-led subscription boycott over transgender-friendly kids’ shows