Wanda Sykes thanks God and 'trans community' on behalf of Ricky Gervais

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Wanda Sykes thanks God and 'trans community' on behalf of Ricky Gervais at Golden Globes

Wanda Sykes pointedly thanked God and the "trans community" while accepting an award on behalf of Ricky Gervais during the Golden Globes on Sunday.

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Comedian Wanda Sykes thanked God and the trans community as she accepted an award on behalf of Ricky Gervais during the Golden Globes on Sunday.

"Ricky Gervais, I love you, for not being here," Sykes said at the event. "No, I love you Ricky, but if you win, I get to accept the award on your behalf. And you’re going to thank God and the trans community."

Sykes presented the award for best performance in stand-up comedy on TV at the Golden Globes. Gervais was eventually announced as the winner of the category.

The other nominees in the best performance in a stand-up comedy on TV category included Bill Maher, Brett Goldstein, Kumail Nanjiani, Sarah Silverman, and Kevin Hart.

Wanda Sykes at the 83rd Annual Golden Globes held at The Beverly Hilton on Jan. 11, 2026, in Beverly Hills, California Ricky Gervais on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on May 29, 2025. ( Rich Polk/2026GG/Penske Media via Getty Images; Randy Holmes/Disney via Getty Images)

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"Teyana, can I borrow your speech? Ricky Gervais, because he would like to thank God and the trans community," Sykes said, announcing Gervais as the winner. "Ricky Gervais could not be here, but we'll accept this on his behalf."

Gervais acknowledged his win on X and wrote, "I f------ won. Again."

Gervais is an atheist and ruffled feathers after joking about the transgender community in his Netflix special SuperNature in 2022.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Timesin May, Gervais, the star of the British version of "The Office" TV series, described how he employs offensive jokes and taboo subjects for his audiences and stressed the importance of free speech for comedy.

Ricky Gervais poses at the ceremony honoring Ricky Gervais with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on May 30, 2025, in Hollywood, California. (Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)

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"But you have to have free speech, and there’s nothing you could say that someone somewhere won’t be offended by. It’s impossible so you shouldn’t even try," Gervais told the outlet.

Sykes also took a shot at Maher as she presented the award on Sunday.

"I'm presenting the award for standup comedy on television. But first, I want to give them some love. Bill Maher, you give us so much, but I would love a little less. Just try less," Sykes said.

Bill Maher at the 83rd Annual Golden Globes held at The Beverly Hilton on Jan. 11, 2026, in Beverly Hills, California.  (MEGA/GC Images)

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As Sykes opened her presentation of the best performance in stand-up comedy on TV category, she also announced, "There are some people pissed off that a queer Black woman is up here doing the job of two mediocre White guys."