Hannah Gadsby's Gender Agenda

Hannah Gadsby took a very public dispute with Netflix and turned it into a variety show. After years of public friction with the streaming platform over its funding of anti-trans stand-up, Gadsby chose to redirect that corporate budget into a showcase for seven genderqueer comedians at London’s Alexandra Palace Theatre. Rather than dragging out a tired public feud, the production lets a diverse roster of performers speak for themselves, offering everything from dry stories about medical transition to sharp observations on how the gender binary falls apart.

Filmed in October 2023 and released in early 2024, the special features a lineup of global talent, including Jes Tom, Alok, Chloe Petts, Asha Ward, Krishna Istha, Mx. Dahlia Belle, and DeAnne Smith. Gadsby plays host and ringleader, opening the evening with a nod to the streaming giant’s past controversies by noting that the last time Netflix brought this many trans people together, it was for a protest. The showcase then moves through distinct sets, like Jes Tom’s reflections on how testosterone altered their attraction to men, and veteran comic DeAnne Smith’s lighthearted irritation at being aggressively ‘they/them’d’ against their will for nearly two decades. Critics welcomed the collection of voices, noting that the performances worked precisely because they prioritized jokes over easy point-scoring.