Netflix defends Chappelle, suspends staff in trans row

Netflix has defended its decision to screen a Dave Chappelle special criticised as transphobic, as it suspended employees who crashed a virtual meeting in protest at the comedian’s show, media reported on Monday.

The stand-up star has courted controversy with The Closer in which he asserts “gender is a fact”, and criticises what he says is the thin skin of the trans community.

LGBTI activists have lashed out over the comments, with the National Black Justice Coalition calling on streaming service Netflix to remove the programme, and Dear White People producer Jaclyn Moore vowing to boycott the platform over “dangerously transphobic content”.

But in a memo to staff, Netflix chief executive Ted Sarandos said bosses did not believe that Chappelle’s work amounted to “hate”, and that the company would not be removing the show despite pressure from artists, according to Variety, which obtained a copy of the memo.

“Some talent may join third parties in asking us to remove the show in the coming days, which we are not going to do,” Sarandos wrote, adding Chappelle is one of the most popular performers working today.

“We don’t allow titles on Netflix that are designed to incite hate or violence, and we don’t believe The Closer crosses that line.

“I recognise, however, that distinguishing between commentary and harm is hard, especially with stand-up comedy which exists to push boundaries.”

Variety also reported that three employees who crashed a virtual meeting for executives in protest at The Closer had been suspended.

The outlet said they included Terra Field, a software engineer who identifies as queer and trans, and who launched a Twitter broadside last week over Chappelle’s routine.

“I work at @netflix,” Field tweeted. “Yesterday we launched another Chappelle special where he attacks the trans community, and the very validity of transness — all while trying to pit us against other marginalised groups.”

Variety cited people familiar with Netflix as saying the three were suspended not for speaking out, but for attending the virtual meeting uninvited.

Chappelle, 48, has been accused of transphobia over previous Netflix specials.

In The Closer he is at pains to stress that he does not hate transgender people, and tells a long anecdote about a trans woman comic, who he describes as a friend, who came to his defence in earlier entanglements with the community.

Last week as the controversy raged, the comic received a standing ovation at a sold out event at the Hollywood Bowl, telling the audience: “If this is what being cancelled is like, I love it.”