This archive report was first published on 20 October 2021.
October 20, 2021, Los Angeles (AFP) - Netflix is facing a staff walkout and rally in Los Angeles over its screening of comedian Dave Chappelle's special 'The Closer,' which mocks transgender people.
The streaming giant has found itself embroiled in an intense and highly public controversy over Chappelle's stand-up comedy, which has been condemned by LGBTQ groups.
Activists say the special is harmful to the transgender community, with Chappelle insisting 'gender is a fact' and accusing LGBTQ people of being 'too sensitive.'
Netflix has acknowledged the deep hurt caused by the special and has promised to do more work to address the concerns of its LGBTQ employees.
Organizers of the rally intend to present a list of 'firm asks' to Netflix content chief Ted Sarandos, including a call for content that prioritizes the safety and dignity of all marginalized communities.
Transgender Netflix employee Terra Field has called on the streamer to add a content warning to 'The Closer' and to promote more 'queer and trans comedians and talent.'
Field wrote in a blog post, 'A place can't be a great place to work if someone has to betray their community to do so.'
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has admitted that he 'screwed up' in handling the controversy, saying he should have acknowledged the hurt felt by employees before defending artistic freedom.
