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Elliot Page and Dan Levy have joined other celebrities and activists in calling for Netflix to do better for its trans employees.
The controversy stems from Dave Chappell’s comedy special, The Closer, which came to the streaming giant earlier this month. In it, Chappelle says he’s “Team TERF”, voiced support for JK Rowling, and stated, “Gender is a fact”. He also talks about his friendship and support of a trans comedian who later died by suicide.
Yesterday, trans employees and allies at Netflix took part in a walkout of the company’s LA HQ. At the same time, a ‘Stand Up in Solidarity’ rally was organized by trans activist Ashlee Marie Preston.
She, and other supporters of the rally and walkout, including Angelica Ross, Jonathan Van Ness, Colton Haynes, and Jameela Jamil, posted a video to social media explaining the action.
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That video was shared by Elliot Page, who came out as trans in 2019 and stars in Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy.
“I stand with the trans, nonbinary, and BIPOC employees at Netflix fighting for more and better trans stories and a more inclusive workplace #NetflixWalkout” said Page.
I stand with the trans, nonbinary, and BIPOC employees at Netflix fighting for more and better trans stories and a more inclusive workplace #NetflixWalkout https://t.co/LU8FPSBdwE
— Elliot Page (@TheElliotPage) October 20, 2021
Schitt’s Creek creator Levy signed a major deal with Netflix in recent weeks to create original TV and films for the streamer. He issued a statement saying, “I stand with every employee at Netflix using their voice to ensure a safe and supportive work environment. I’ve seen first-hand how vital television can be when it comes to influencing the cultural conversation. That impact is real and works both ways: positively AND negatively.
“Transphobia is unacceptable and harmful. That isn’t a debate.”
— dan levy (@danjlevy) October 20, 2021
Also voicing support was trans movie director Lilly Wachowski.
#NetflixWalkout If you’re not standing up for trans lives, you need to take a good look at who you ARE standing with. Good luck today everybody! ⚡️🎸⚡️
— Lilly Wachowski (@lilly_wachowski) October 20, 2021
The walkout was also supported by the streamer’s own LGBTQ hub, Most.
brb walking out
— Most (@Most) October 20, 2021
Yesterday’s walkout came not only in reaction to the Chappelle show but also how Netflix has subsequently handled the fallout. It suspended one member of staff who publicly criticized The Closer, saying the individual tried—along with two others—to gatecrash a meeting of executives they had not been invited to. All three subsequently had their suspensions lifted.
Related: Netflix reinstates trans employee who complained about Dave Chappelle’s show
However, a non-binary member of staff, B. Pagels-Minor, was later fired after they allegedly leaked viewing figures for The Closer to the press.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, in a memo to staff about the show after it premiered, defended it, saying, “With ‘The Closer,’ we understand that the concern is not about offensive-to-some content but titles which could increase real-world harm (such as further marginalizing already marginalized groups, hate, violence, etc.) … While some employees disagree, we have a strong belief that content on screen doesn’t directly translate to real-world harm.”
Related: Netflix CEO stands behind Dave Chappelle’s transphobic comedy special, says some people “enjoy it”
He later backtracked on this, telling Variety on Monday, “Obviously, I screwed up that internal communication. I did that, and I screwed it up in two ways. First and foremost, I should have led with a lot more humanity. Meaning, I had a group of employees who were definitely feeling pain and hurt from a decision we made … Of course, storytelling has real impact in the real world.”
Yesterday, ahead of the walkout, a Netflix spokesperson issued a further statement saying, “We value our trans colleagues and allies, and understand the deep hurt that’s been caused. We respect the decision of any employee who chooses to walk out, and recognize we have much more work to do both within Netflix and in our content.”
Several hundred people attended yesterday’s walkout and rally. It’s unclear how many were Netflix employees as many – no doubt fearing potential career impact – declined to speak to the press.
A set of demands has been issued by trans employees, calling on Netflix to do more to develop trans and non-binary talent, and to add a warning to content that it contains transphobia, among other actions.
The rally was met by a counter-protest of Dave Chappelle fans and those advocating for free speech. Variety notes there was also a small minority of this group shouting anti-trans slogans.
BaltoSteve
So, Netflix says, “yes we screwed up”, “we are going to do better”, and leave the content still up. Obviously, today is not the day that they try to do better.
mastik8
I would hope that we all stand with the trans, nonbinary, and BIPOC employees at Netflix fighting for more and better trans stories and a more inclusive workplace. Everyone should. That doesn’t mean you cancel the voices and stories you disagree with.
Essie
I stand with a comedian having the freedom to say whatever the hell he wants to say. If people object to it they can turn off the television or don’t go to his concerts or protest his actions. However, I am seriously sick of people trying to cancel anyone they don’t agree with. I’m also sick of people trying to cancel Black men who are just doing what they do. Dave Chappelle has been (in my opinion) a divisive and really bad, comedian all of his career but he has millions of fans and they have a right to heard and see him on Netflix or anywhere else. They have the right to defend him and trans people and their friends have a right to dislike him. However, they do not have the right to try to take away his income.
PS: I love Dan Levy!!!
cliche guevara
You must also be tired of knowing what you are talking about.
The employees that walked out had a list of changes they want Netflix to make. Nowhere in that list is stopping anyone from saying anything. They aren’t even asking for Chapelle’s special to be removed or edited.
Maybe you should actually listen to what trans Netflix employees are saying rather than telling them to stop doing things that they aren’t even doing? Or keep talking out your arse.
BaltoSteve
Such a refreshing take. ::yawn::
Cam
It’s cute how you say that people have the right to not watch, but then cry about a comedian being “cancelled”.
People not watching or letting a business know that they don’t like what they are doing, is something everyone has the freedom to do, but you try to slap the label “Cancelling” on it to hide that that is simply what it is.
We get it, Republicans don’t want other people to have the freedom to not like something.
davegun2
I want to say it this way. Come on media, public, known figures that have sway over public opinion. Give my T friends a break here. Just don’t for a while, not forever, just for now. Until the killing of trans people is diminished down to a tiny level. Once that happens then this old fool of a gay man will be all over that shizz, cracking jokes and throwing shade on the trans community. But for now, NO.
Fahd
It has been one sloppy, ill-considered decision after another. My takeaway from matters as they’ve developed is that the Netflix board needs to move ahead with replacing the executive leadership at Netflix.
Netflix is facing increasing competition and things are only going to get worse for them with the keystone cops who are running things now.
mdrguy1
Netflix needs to stand its ground and not give in to the mob. I would bet most of these protesters haven’t even watched it and are simply acting based on a handful of DC’s comments lifted out of context. I and several other of my LGBTQ friends and allies thought DC had a thoughtful and smart critique of lgbtq activism. This hyperbolic equation of language with violence and talk of a Holocaust (sorry, Jill Soloway, but no), is overblown. Save that level of outrage for areas where it really is merited, like the flood of anti-trans legislation being passed nationwide. THAT is true damage. Not this comedy special.
Cam
Except you can’t point out exactly what was smart about it.
But nice try.
mdrguy1
To cam: my point wasn’t to offer a detailed critique of the show. It was a summary judgment. I’m not interested in being a reviewer for the sake of satisfying your needs. I made my point. End of comment.
v6origal97
In fairness to Cam, that was your opinion, and not particularly a made point. The anti-gay/trans legislation comes from a culture of “other,” which Chapelle himself propagates and promotes.
tallskin4
If netflix gives into this baying mob then it will have been proved to have no spine.
Cam
And by “Braying Mob” you mean “People who didn’t like what Dave Chapelle said and used their freedom of speech to mention that”.
mdrguy1
People on the left have got to start standing up to the left’s cancel culture and reminding them that we won’t agree on EVERYTHING but that by disagreeing on SOME THINGS, the opposing side isn’t the devil.
Iona Lexiss
I fully support humor and entertainment. The only reason why I watched the show was because of all the attention.
v6origal97
There’s no such thing as cancel culture, only “you screwed up, and a lot of people are voicing their anger.” If that anger gets you placed in timeout for a while, that’s called a consequence of your right to say dumb things. You don’t lose that right. You just lose the collective audience – by their choice- who used to enjoy hearing you speak about other things, they didn’t find atrociously offensive. Plenty of people still think Dave is funny. So, let him have fun playing racist crowds and doing interviews on OAN with the KKK for a while.