Premium Content:

'Friends' creator Marta Kaufmann regrets misgendering trans character

Co-creator of iconic sitcom Friends has shared her thoughts on her former project’s treatment of its notable transgender character.

- Advertisement -

Marta Kaufmann, who also developed Netflix’s Grace and Frankie, has said she regrets the misgendering of one of lead character Chandler Bing’s parents.

Kathleen Turner made two guest appearances in the show’s seventh season as Chandler’s transgender parent and drag performer Helena Handbasket.

While Friends never explicitly stated Turner’s character was trans, Kaufmann has now confirmed that was the intention, saying it was a mistake using male pronouns to identify her.

“We kept referring to her as ‘Chandler’s father’, even though Chandler’s father was trans,” Kaufmann told BBC’s The Conversation.

“Pronouns were not yet something that I understood, so we didn’t refer to that character as ‘she’. That was a mistake.”

Back in 2019 Kaufmann shared similar sentiments, saying she regrets many ‘jokes’ that punched down against the LGBTQIA+ community.

Kathleen Turner, known for her roles in Serial Mom, Peggy Sue Got Married and The Virgin Suicides, also revealed at the time that she would no longer take on that role, saying “I don’t think it’s aged well.”

OIP Staff


Do you need some support?

If you are struggling with anxiety or depression, support and counselling are available from:

QLife: 1800 184 527 / qlife.org.au (Webchat 3pm – midnight)
QLife are a counselling and referral service for LGBTQIA+ people.

DISCHARGEDinfo@discharged.org.au / discharged.org.au
Discharged is a trans-led support service with peer support groups for trans and gender diverse folks.

Lifeline: 13 11 14 / lifeline.org.au

Beyondblue: 1300 22 4636 / www.beyondblue.org.au


You can support our work by subscribing to our Patreon
or contributing to our GoFundMe campaign.

Latest

On This Gay Day | Mexican writer Luis Zapata was born

Zapata was one of the most successful and acclaimed gay writers in Mexican literature.

Pet Shop Boys turn Tina Turner’s lost track into a minimalist dance gem

The British duo has transformed long lost rock track 'Hot for You Baby'.

WA MP speaks at Melbourne rally urging people to support parties with gender critical policies

Sophia Moermond has urged people to vote for One Nation, Libertarians or People First in the federal election.

‘Invisible Boys’ star Joseph Zada cast in new ‘The Hunger Games’ film

The 20-year-old actor's career is going gangbusters.

Newsletter

Don't miss

On This Gay Day | Mexican writer Luis Zapata was born

Zapata was one of the most successful and acclaimed gay writers in Mexican literature.

Pet Shop Boys turn Tina Turner’s lost track into a minimalist dance gem

The British duo has transformed long lost rock track 'Hot for You Baby'.

WA MP speaks at Melbourne rally urging people to support parties with gender critical policies

Sophia Moermond has urged people to vote for One Nation, Libertarians or People First in the federal election.

‘Invisible Boys’ star Joseph Zada cast in new ‘The Hunger Games’ film

The 20-year-old actor's career is going gangbusters.

The Stella Prize shortlist is a great way to find a great book to read

Six remarkable books are in contentio nfor the award.

On This Gay Day | Mexican writer Luis Zapata was born

Zapata was one of the most successful and acclaimed gay writers in Mexican literature.

Pet Shop Boys turn Tina Turner’s lost track into a minimalist dance gem

The British duo has transformed long lost rock track 'Hot for You Baby'.

WA MP speaks at Melbourne rally urging people to support parties with gender critical policies

Sophia Moermond has urged people to vote for One Nation, Libertarians or People First in the federal election.