American comedian Dave Chapel, whose latest special on Netflix sparked a backlash from transgender people, responded to those he said wanted to “cancel” it. Chappelle posted on Instagram that he was ready to meet members of the transgender community. However, his comedic performances received transphobic criticism. He also urged viewers to decide if it was “canceled.”
This comes after a small protest outside Netflix headquarters in Los Angeles last week. Critics were offended by the Netflix special Chappelle The Closer, in which she said that “gender is a fact” and that LGBT people were “too sensitive.”
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos apologized for handling internal staff disagreements, saying, “I screwed it up.”
According to CNN, Chappelle’s video, posted to his Instagram account on Monday, was filmed during his presentation in Louisville, Kentucky, on Sunday. This is his first public response to criticism since his remarkable debut on October 5. Then, he appeared on the show alongside the popular podcast Joe Rogan. “The press said I was invited to talk to trans people on Netflix, and I declined,” Chapel, 48, told the audience.
“That’s not true. If I’m invited, I’ll take it. Although I’m confused as to what we’re talking about… You said you wanted a safe work environment on Netflix. Well, I guess I’m the only one who can’t go to the office more. “For the transgender community, I’m more than ready to give you an audience,” he continued. “But you won’t call me.” I don’t comply with anyone’s request.
He also denied going against the LGBT community, saying, “It has nothing to do with them. It’s about the interests of the company and what I can and can’t say.”
Last week, Netflix reported a record 213.5 million subscribers worldwide. Chappelle also said the special resulted in him not being invited to the film festival that screened his latest documentary, Untitled. “Today no film company, no film studio, no film festival … will touch this film,” he said, urging people to watch his new film and decide, “Should I cancel or not?”