Dave Chappelle is widely considered to be a comedic genius. So when Netflix announced it had released two Chappelle stand-up specials, people freaked. A little comedy to wrap up this bitter year has to be a good thing, right?
Well, maybe. But maybe not. The specials just dropped, but there’s already some pushback when it comes to Chappelle’s thoughts on the transgender community.
Of the two videos, “The Bird Revelation” and “Equanimity,” it’s the latter that is once again bringing Chappelle’s controversial views into the spotlight. In it, he reflects on past jokes of his that critics have called transphobic.
Filmed in secret last month, in front of just 50 people. The Bird Revelation, one of two new Chappelle stand-up specials, streams tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/eqpTaENSpR
— Netflix Is A Joke (@NetflixIsAJoke) December 30, 2017
“You know who hates me the most? The transgender community,” he says to a laughing audience. “I didn’t realize how bad it was. These motherfuckers are really mad about that last Netflix special. It’s tough man, I don’t know what to do about it ’cause I like them. I always have. Never had a problem with them. Ya know, just fucking around. And a matter of fact I think I make fun of everybody, and I mean as a group of people they have to admit… it’s kind of fucking hilarious man. I’m sorry bro.”
He continues on to say that being born trans is funny if it’s not happening to you.
Not everyone was amused.
Me when Dave Chappelle starts talking about transgender issues in his new special pic.twitter.com/1smrT5rC78
— Gerard Wavy (@JasonDike) December 31, 2017
Dave Chappelle’s new comedy specials on @netflix had a surprising amount of anti-LGBT material. As someone who is married to a trans person, it was pretty offensive.
— Jonathan™ (@JMillhouse) December 31, 2017
I just can’t get psyched about Dave Chappelle’s new specials. His anti-trans rants were nasty and uncalled for.
I wish I was more surprised that @netflix said nothing about his remarks, but they’re making money, so why bother? #LGBTQ
— Danielle (@Danilizsky) December 31, 2017
He then compares trans people toRachel Dolezal, the white women who claimed to be black. “That is trans talk, lady,” Chappelle says, before hastily adding that unlike Dolezal he “believes” trans people because they sometimes get sex reassignment surgery — though he phrases it much differently.
“I believe trans people, them niggas cut they dicks off…
That’s all the proof I need.” – @DaveChappelle on Netflix special
— im called young tisci on the westside of birdcity (@MaisonTisci) December 31, 2017
The Human Rights Campaign , a LGBTQ civil rights organization, says that “fatal violence disproportionately affects transgender women of color” and that in 2017 at least 28 transgender individuals have been “fatally shot or killed by other violent means.”
For many, the reality of life as a trans person is definitely not funny — even if it’s not happening to you.
