Netflix backs Chappelle despite criticism over trans remarks

LOS ANGELES, -- A top Netflix executive stated that Dave Chappelle's special "The Closer", which he hosts, doesn't cross the "line on hate" and will continue to stream on the streaming site despite the controversy surrounding his remarks about transgender people.

Netflix backs Chappelle despite criticism over trans remarks

LOS ANGELES, -- A top Netflix executive stated that Dave Chappelle's special "The Closer", which he hosts, doesn't cross the "line on hate" and will continue to stream on the streaming site despite the controversy surrounding his remarks about transgender people.

Ted Sarandos, co-CEO, told managers in an internal memo that "some talent" might join third parties calling for the show's cancellation, and added, "which is not going to happen."

Netflix declined to comment on the memo. Variety reported it Monday.

The company replied to news reports that it had suspended three employees. Terra Field was one of the employees who had criticized Chappelle's special in Twitter. Field identified herself as a senior software engineer at Netflix, and as trans.

"It's false to claim that we have fired any employees who tweeted about this show. Netflix released a statement saying that employees are encouraged and supported to disagree.

A person familiar with the situation said that the three employees attended a quarterly meeting of company directors and vice-presidents without authorization. According to the person who was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter, one worker was terminated as a result if an investigation.

It was not clear if there was any type of action against the two other workers.

Field did not immediately respond to a request to comment. She stated in her posts that Chappelle was being criticised not for his offensive comments but because of the harm they do the trans community, particularly Black women.

Field also included a list that she claimed had been killed by transgender men and women of colour, and added in each case that the victim was not offended.

A representative of Chappelle did not respond to a request for comment.

GLAAD, a media watchdog group, stated Monday that Netflix's policy of rejecting programs that incite hatred or violence violates its policies. GLAAD urged Netflix executives to listen to LGBTQ employees, industry leaders and audiences, and to set their own standards.

The group stated that Chappelle's brand had become synonymous with ridiculing transgender people and other marginalized groups when Chappelle's special was published last week.

Jaclyn Moore was a producer and writer on "Dear White People" on Netflix. She tweeted that she worked with executives at the service and other producers and that she shared "the story about my transition for @netflix."

Moore stated that Moore is not a "real woman" and she has to deal with hate and threats.

She stated on Twitter, "I will not cooperate with them so long as they continue putting out and profit off blatantly & dangerously transphobic material."

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