Friends is making up for its 'homophobic' jokes with a charity auction
A whopping 25 years after it started in 1994, Friends still boasts millions of fans around the world - many of whom are stoked by the reunion rumours swirling around the cast.
But while it's well-loved, the HBO series which made stars of Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc et al, the show hasn't always been on the right side of history, including among the LGBTQ+ community. Many have criticised some of the jokes made across the ten seasons for being homophobic or transphobic.
Moments that the show has since come under fire for including Ross incredulously asking Sandy, the male nanny played by Freddie Prinze Jr, if he's gay, and making Chandler's transgender father the butt of jokes, as well as deadnaming her by referring to her as her former name, rather than Helena.
It seems, though, that Friends' makers are moving to prevent a backlash by auctioning off props and costumes from the show, and donating proceeds to the US's leading LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention charity, the Trevor Project.
Timed to coincide with the show's 25th anniversary, the auction will see more than 100 items including the infamous Central Perk couch, Ross’s armadillo costume, ten replicas of Monica’s door, and Hugsy, Joey’s penguin cuddly toy.
Whether it's to directly acknowledge that the show wasn't always kind to LGBTQ+ people or not, it's heartening to see its makers taking a stand in support of the community.
Run by WarnerBros and Prop Store, the auction will take place from 3rd-17th December, and you can bid for items here.
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