The comedian’s rep also chimed in on the criticism he has received. His rep said he’s also open to speaking with employees from the streaming service who are upset by remarks he made, if they reach out to him for a discussion. But no one from Netflix has approached Chappelle or his team about setting up a meeting or conversation, his rep also stated.
“Dave stands by his art: No more jokes about transgenders 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,” the comedian’s rep added.
Elliot Page, who stars in Netflix’s ‘The Umbrella Academy’ and is transgender, tweeted in protest of the jokes and comments Chappelle made about the trans community during ‘The Closer.’ He said that he stands with the trans, nonbinary and people of color working at Netflix who are “fighting for more and better trans stories and a more inclusive workplace.”
Activist Ashlee Marie Preston also chimed in on the controversy by leading employees from the streaming service on a walk out last Wednesday, October 20. The walk-out was held at Netflix’s office-studio complex in Hollywood.
Preston refutes Chappelle’s claims that he’s ready to speak with the trans community. She says she invited him to talk about the damage she believe he’s inflicted on the LGBTQ+ community. However, she also claims that he chose not to show up for the meeting.
In response to the criticism that Chappelle and his comedy special have received, Netflix’s co-CEO, Ted Sarandos, has stated that “content on screen doesn’t directly translate to real-world harm.” He also wrote that the company doesn’t allow titles that are “designed to incite hate or violence, and we don’t believe ‘The Closer’ crosses that line.”
