Dave Chappelle, the comedian who has been embroiled in controversy for his transphobic remarks in his recent Netflix special The Closer, is ready to engage with the trans community, according to TMZ.
“Dave stands by his art: No more jokes about transgenders [sic] until we can all laugh together. The streets are talking and Dave is listening. At some point, when everyone is open, I’m sure the communities will come together,” Chappelle’s representatives reportedly told the publication.
Netflix’s senior management too has come under fire for repeatedly defending the show since its release earlier this month.
The streaming giant also suspended a few of its employees who had criticised Chappelle’s comedy special on social media, though the stated reason for the suspension was their unauthorised attendance at a high-level meeting. These employees were later reinstated on October 13.
The company’s trans employees then planned a walkout along on Wednesday and put forth a list of demands, including increased investment in trans and non-binary content, hiring trans and non-binary content executives, especially BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour), in leading roles, and acknowledgement of the harm caused by transphobic or anti-Black content.
Co-CEO and Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos later admitted that he “screwed up” in handling the backlash. However, he said Chappelle’s comedy special did not fall under hate speech and confirmed that Netflix would continue to stream it.
Meanwhile, activist and journalist Ashlee Marie Preston organised an in-person rally named “Stand Up in Solidarity” in support of the walkout at the Netflix headquarters in Los Angeles on Wednesday. The rally was attended by several celebrities, including musician Nina, drag queen and television personality Eureka O’Hara, author Dr Eric Cervini, filmmaker Blossom C Brown, actors Colton Haynes, Hunter Reese Pena, Gene Kang, among several hundred others.
While Chappelle’s team maintained that he was not approached by Netflix to initiate a conversation, rally organiser, Preston, wrote on October 14, on social media, “Dave Chappelle was not ‘canceled’. He’s been invited to the table for transformative dialogue but won’t show up. That’s not ‘cancel culture,’ but an avoidance of accountability. He’s no victim. The man is worth $50M. Unlike many trans people his comedy stigmatizes – he’ll live.”
Several public figures and members of the industry voiced their support for the walkout on social media.
Canadian filmmaker, writer and producer, Dan Levy shared a statement, on Twitter, on Wednesday, that read, “I stand with every employee at Netflix using their voice to ensure a safe and supportive work environment. I’ve known first hand how vital television can be when it comes to influencing the cultural conversation. That impact is real and works both ways: positively AND negatively. Transphobia is unacceptable and harmful. That isn’t a debate.”
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Trans actor Elliot Page wrote, “I stand with the trans, nonbinary, and BIPOC employees at Netflix fighting for more and better trans stories and a more inclusive workplace.”
Filmmaker Ava Duvernay also voiced her support.
Meanwhile, Chappelle revealed at a sold-out London gig on Wednesday evening that he is planning a 10-city US tour of the same show if Netflix drops it, according to Variety.