Ever since Dave Chapelle’s latest Netflix special, ‘The Closer,’ has caused a huge uproar in the trans community, leading to trans employees at Netflix staging a walkout. After the publicized backlash, Chapelle says he is willing to meet with transgender Netflix employees or other members of the trans community but won’t bend “to anybody’s demands.”
In a video released on Instagram, Chapelle was unapologetic about ‘The Closer’ saying he said what he said and to address some of the controversies following the release of his special.
“It’s been said in the press that I was invited to speak to the transgender employees of Netflix and I refused. That is not true — if they had invited me I would have accepted it, although I am confused about what we would be speaking about,” Chappelle said in the 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. It seems like I’m the only one that can’t go to the office anymore.”
Even though Dave said he would meet with the trans community in normal Chapelle fashion, he jokingly listed a number of conditions that must be completed prior to any meeting.
“To the transgender community, I am more than willing to give you an audience, but you will not summon me. I am not bending to anybody’s demands. And if you want to meet with me, I’d be more than willing to, but I have some conditions. First of all, you cannot come if you have not watched my special from beginning to end. You must come to a place of my choosing at a time of my choosing, and thirdly, you must admit that Hannah Gadsby is not funny.”
The release of “The Closer” resulted in a lot of turmoil at Netflix, including the trans employees at the company asking for the removal of his special. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos defended the special leading to trans employees and other allies at the company to stage a walkout.
This is not the last we will hear from Chapelle, Netflix, or the trans community. Each side seems to be steadfast on their viewpoint, so we just have to wait until the dust settles and see if there will be an actual conversation between Dave and the trans community.
What is really sad is that Chappelle’s documentary that focuses heavily on the struggle of the black community, is being banned by film festivals because of the transgender community. If you watch the special, you know Dave asked them not to punch down on the black community, but they did it anyway.
Flip the page to watch the full video released on Chappelle’s Instagram.