Tennessee Republican Congressman Tim Burchett is urging Netflix executives to clarify the inclusion of “satanic” transgender themes in children’s shows.
Burchett, along with House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), delivered a letter to Netflix requesting the presence of its executives at a committee hearing. This comes after they discovered the animated series Dead End: Paranormal Park is aimed at kids under 13 and includes a transgender main character.
“We need to bring them to the committee and ask them what their intentions are with this and do they understand what is actually going on,” said Rep. Burchett.
“If they don’t come voluntarily, we should summon them, because this is a serious problem. It affects the mental health of young people and it affects the moral decline of our society,” Burchett remarked. “I want to sit across the table and ask them some questions.”
This isn’t the only children’s show on Netflix that features transgender or LGBTQ+ characters. Series like Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City, The Baby-Sitters Club, Monster High, and Transformers: Earth Spark have also been associated with such themes.
Burchett is pressing Netflix to explain the safeguards they have in place for parents.
“I wish Congress could rein in these giant corporations and ensure they have some moral compass. It’s definitely wrong to spread this kind of content to our children,” the Congressman commented.
“Transgender issues are mental health issues, and that’s the reality. Promoting transgender issues isn’t harmful, I think. But the shows that target kids, like those showing boys becoming girls, are biologically impossible… To me, they’re just recruiting and grooming young kids,” he added.
Burchett acknowledged that Netflix has the right to air its content under the First Amendment but believes there’s a delicate balance between upholding that right and protecting children from potential harm.
He noted that while the law hasn’t kept pace with digital media, the FCC has some authority to establish rules for “telecommunications companies.”
“We will have to deal with all these issues,” he confirmed.
The discussion gained traction in September when Dead End: Paranormal Park faced backlash on social media for its response to the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. One of its creators referred to Kirk in derogatory terms in a heated post on a left-leaning platform.
The series, which premiered in 2021, follows a transgender character named Barry Gutman, who is voiced by transgender actor Zach Barak. The plot centers on Barry’s dog, Pugsley, which becomes possessed by a demon. It’s a mix of humor and horror.
“Dead Endia is about confronting fears, seeking revenge, and exploring magical elements,” Steele, one of the creators, remarked. “It’s also a narrative about growing up in a world that isn’t designed for you—a story of found family, identity, and mistakes.”
“I’ve longed to create the show I wished I had as a lonely, horror-loving, closeted gay kid. With Netflix and a wonderfully diverse team, I’ve exceeded my wildest ambitions!” he concluded.
The series ran for two seasons before being canceled by Netflix.
