Topline
Comedian Dave Chappelle addressed the transphobia controversy surrounding his Netflix comedy special “The Closer,” during which he said “gender is a fact,” saying Monday that he would be willing to talk to transgender Netflix employees that took issue with his comments while also claiming that he’s been “cancelled” over the remarks.
Comedian Dave Chappelle has faced controversy due to comments he made during his Netflix comedy … [+]
Key Facts
In a video from a recent stand-up show posted to his Instagram Monday afternoon, Chappelle stated that though he is not “bending to anybody’s demands, he would have an “audience” with the transgender community, on three conditions: they watch “The Closer” from start to finish, they go to a place and time of his choosing and they admit that openly lesbian Australian comedian Hannah Gadsby, who has been outspoken against Chappelle, is not funny.
Chappelle thanked Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos for defending him, saying Monday, “Thank God for Ted Sarandos and Netflix, he’s the only one that didn’t cancel me yet.”
Chappelle also shared Monday that he was uninvited from various film festivals and investors “won’t touch” his upcoming “Untitled” documentary, which will debut next month in private screenings across the country, due to the controversy.
Netflix declined to comment on Chappelle’s Monday remarks.
Crucial Quote
Speaking about the response from transgender Netflix employees, Chappelle said in the Instagram video, “I said what I said and, boy, I heard what you said, my God, how could I not. You said you want a safe working environment at Netflix. Well, it seems like I’m the only one that can’t go to the office anymore.”
Key Background
Sarandos sent two emails to Netflix employees standing by Chappelle during the backlash to the special, saying that the show would not cause “real-life harm,” per Variety. The Netflix chief later admitted in an interview with Variety he “screwed up” in how he communicated that support, but maintained his position that the content of the special should remain on the service, citing Chappelle’s right to “creative freedom and artistic expression.” Netflix’s Trans* Employee Resource Group released a list of demands obtained by The Verge ahead of last week’s walkout, including demands for disclaimers before potentially transphobic content, hiring of transgender executives and investment in trans-affirming content.
Chief Critic
Ashlee Marie Preston, an activist that organized the Netflix walkout on the Trans* ERG’s behalf, told Forbes: “The implication that somehow the Trans community and Netflix employees are to blame for why he can’t get his film picked up felt like a violent dog whistle for transphobic fans to come after us. The death threats and harassment have already been pouring in since the walkout. This steady insistence that we are conspiring to cancel Dave Chappelle is unfounded. Never have I or anyone from the Trans* ERG at Netflix called for Dave Chappelle to be cancelled. In fact, the removal of his special wasn’t even on the official list of asks.”
Further Reading
Netflix Reinstates Three Workers Who Spoke Out Against Dave Chappelle’s Stand-Up Special (Forbes)
