It's no secret that "big name" performers, artists and influencers often get away with more negative and harmful behaviors and comments, simply because they have an extensive following.
Some of their fans will undoubtedly be bigots or apologists.
Comedian Dave Chapelle is no exception, with an increasingly long history of problematic material, particularly targeting the trans community.
So for those who are against transphobia, it's disheartening when he is scheduled to appear at a venue.
On Monday, July 18, Minneapolis, Minnesota club First Avenue announced they would be hosting Dave Chapelle for a live performance.
\u201cJust Announced: Dave Chappelle Live at First Avenue on July 20.\n\nTix go on sale tomorrow morn (Tuesday, July 19) at 10AM \u2192 https://t.co/zr9y7iiDEO\u201d— First Avenue (@First Avenue) 1658174622
Given his history of transphobic material, the community was not happy with the news.
\u201c@FirstAvenue\u201d— First Avenue (@First Avenue) 1658174622
\u201c@FirstAvenue transphobia isn't comedy, it is violence. do you realize the message you are sending to trans folks with this? either first ave is a safe place for trans people or it's not. you can't have it both ways\u201d— First Avenue (@First Avenue) 1658174622
\u201c@FirstAvenue Saddened to see y'all are allowing him to perform. If it's a situation where you don't have a choice (contract), let the public know AND donate all the profit from the show to local LGBTQ+ organizations (the more trans specific the better). Punching down isn't comedy, its abuse.\u201d— First Avenue (@First Avenue) 1658174622
\u201c@FirstAvenue Seriously? There\u2019s a reason you\u2019re announcing it this late. I respect a lot of what you do in the community and I spend a good chunk of change on shows at your venues. But this is not a good look. AT ALL.\u201d— First Avenue (@First Avenue) 1658174622
Comments continued to pour in on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
The announcement tweet had nearly 500 comments before the opening of Chapelle's performance and nearly 300 retweets, many of them complaining about the collaboration.
First Avenue listened to the concerns that filled the Twitter thread and decided to make a surprise change to their performance schedule, just a few hours before Chapelle was expected to step onto the stage.
The venue tweeted the announcement:
"We hear you. Tonight's show has been canceled at First Avenue and is moving to the Varsity Theater."
\u201cWe hear you. Tonight\u2019s show has been cancelled at First Avenue and is moving to the Varsity Theater. See our full statement for more.\u201d— First Avenue (@First Avenue) 1658351892
You can read their full statement here:
"The Dave Chapelle show tonight at First Avenue has been canceled and is moving to the Varsity Theater."
"To staff, artists, and our community, we hear you and we are sorry. We know we must hold ourselves to the highest standards, and we know we let you down. We are not just a black box with people in it, and we understand that First Ave is not just a room, but meaningful beyond our walls."
"The First Avenue team and you have worked hard to make our venues the safest spaces in the country, and we will continue with that mission."
"We believe in diverse voices and the freedom of artistic expression, but in honoring that, we lost sight of the impact this would have."
"We know there are some who will not agree with this decision; you are welcome to send feedback."
"If you are a ticket holder, look for an email with information on your ticket(s) transferring to the show at Varsity Theater."
Followers were proud of First Avenue for stepping up.
\u201c@FirstAvenue Thank you for recognizing how harmful this booking was. I hope you will try to repair some of the damage that was done, and try to rebuild trust with the trans community and allies.\u201d— First Avenue (@First Avenue) 1658351892
\u201c@FirstAvenue You don't exactly deserve a ton of praise for getting yourselves into this position to begin with, but good.\u201d— First Avenue (@First Avenue) 1658351892
\u201c@FirstAvenue Thank you for making the right call on this one\u201d— First Avenue (@First Avenue) 1658351892
\u201c@FirstAvenue Thank you to the staff and people who pushed for this and for First Avenue for recognizing the severity of the issues raised and taking action.\u201d— First Avenue (@First Avenue) 1658351892
\u201c@FirstAvenue "We thought we could make bank and nobody would care". \n\nYou demonstrated an abhorrent lack of judgment. This statement is a start, but it will be meaningless unless you demonstrate your values more clearly through action.\u201d— First Avenue (@First Avenue) 1658351892
But some questioned First Avenue's commitment to diversity.
\u201c@FirstAvenue Since you are welcoming those of us who disagree with this decision to send feedback: "We believe in diverse voices and the freedom of artistic expression" No. You don't. Actions speak louder than words.\u201d— First Avenue (@First Avenue) 1658351892
\u201c@FirstAvenue Gutless.\n\nYou obviously don't believe in 'freedom of artistic expression'.\n\nGutless.\u201d— First Avenue (@First Avenue) 1658351892
\u201c@FirstAvenue "We believe in diverse voices and the freedom of artistic expression..."\n\nNo, no you don't.\u201d— First Avenue (@First Avenue) 1658351892
\u201c@FirstAvenue You listened to the 125 people who signed a petition over the 1,500 people who bought a ticket. That means you're not listening.\u201d— First Avenue (@First Avenue) 1658351892
It's unclear if this is a movement that will continue across other venues, but First Avenue's stance was well-appreciated and noticed by the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.
Hopefully other large venues, like Netflix, who questionably supported a recently transphobic special from Chapelle, titled The Closer, would begin to step up as well.
It's time for performers and artists to be held accountable for their actions, whether they have a "big name" or not.
