Jaclyn P Moore, a writer, executive producer and showrunner for Netflix's Dear White People, has parted ways with the streaming platform after it refused to pull comedian Dave Chappelle's upcoming stand-up special.
The special, The Closer, has inspired waves of controversy among many in the LGBTQ community for what Moore described as "blatantly and dangerously transphobic" content.
Moore announced her departure in a series of tweets, seen below.
I love so many of the people I've worked with at Netflix. Brilliant people and executives who have been collaborative and fought for important art... But I've been thrown against walls because, "I'm not a 'real' woman." I've had beer bottles thrown at me. So, \n@Netflix, I'm done.https://twitter.com/JaclynPMoore/status/1445912662093729793\u00a0\u2026— Jaclyn Moore (@Jaclyn Moore) 1633568613
In his special, which dropped this past Tuesday, Chappelle jokes about trans people's genitals, defends rapper DaBaby's recent homophobic comments and declares himself "Team TERF" when discussing Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling's years-long battle against the trans community.
Chappelle also doubles down on controversies about transphobic content in his previous specials, Equanimity and Sticks and Stones
In her tweet storm, Moore characterized Chappelle's content as more than just offensive, but actually dangerous. Citing Chappelle's jokes about how women should be angry when trans women are treated as their equals and he should have told a trans woman's mother her daughter "was a dude," Moore wrote:
"Those words have real world consequences. Consequences that every trans woman I know has dealt with. Bruises and panicked phone calls to friends. That's real."
She also shared some of her own experiences with transphobic abuse.
"I've been thrown against walls because, 'I'm not a 'real' woman.' I've had beer bottles thrown at me."
Moore went on to cite these as the reasons she was leaving Netflix.
"...I can't be a part of a company that thinks that's worth putting out and celebrating..."
Moore is not alone in speaking out against the special.
In a statement, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) spoke out against Chappelle and Netflix for giving him a platform.
"Dave Chappelle's brand has become synonymous with ridiculing trans people and other marginalized communities.
"...audiences don't support platforming anti-LGBTQ diatribes. We agree."
And National Black Justice Coalition executive director David Johns issued a sobering criticism of Chappelle's content and Netflix's willingness to promote it.
"With 2021 on track to be the deadliest year on record for transgender people in the United States – the majority of whom are Black transgender people – Netflix should know better."
"...Perpetuating transphobia perpetuates violence."
As if to prove this point, the comments on Moore's Twitter thread and several other tweets about her announcement have immediately filled up with commenters hurling transphobic abuse at her.
But many others shared Moore's anger and applauded her for taking a stand.
I tried VERY hard to give Chappelle benefit of doubt as he expanded upon his trans stories, but he simply fell more and more into a rabbit hole of dubious insults that I finally stopped watching, totally disappointed in his relentlessly misguided observations.— Mario Almonte (@Mario Almonte) 1633618483
The \u201cI have a trans friend\u201d is the exact equivalent to \u201cSome of my bestfriends are black\u201d so the irony is just astounding.— Rayne Michael (@Rayne Michael) 1633608647
proud of you for speaking up. people need to start hearing about netflix and what goes on behind their closed doors\u2026— anna/phia\ud83c\udf37 (@anna/phia\ud83c\udf37) 1633580067
The actual thread is one thing, but @Netflix, LGBTQIA+ allies, and especially cisgender people need to read the replies to the thread. The insults, the bigotry, all of it. \n\nEvery. Single. One. \n\nThat's the hate that Chappelle is perpetuating.https://twitter.com/JaclynPMoore/status/1445917679546679300\u00a0\u2026— Kate Danvers (@Kate Danvers) 1633631806
Proud of @JaclynPMoore for taking a stand against media that normalizes and validates hate. It's not a joke when people are victimized for profit, which is what the Chappelle special is. @netflix needs to pull the special, and I'll vote by canceling my account. #cancelnetfixhttps://twitter.com/JaclynPMoore/status/1445917679546679300\u00a0\u2026— Newman Scott Hunter (@Newman Scott Hunter) 1633626702
Hey @netflix one of your (now ex-)showrunners is being targeted with transphobic abuse directly as a result of your decision to host hate speech.https://twitter.com/JaclynPMoore/status/1445917679546679300\u00a0\u2026— Bi Dyke Energy (@Bi Dyke Energy) 1633621311
Standing with the Netflix creators feeling utterly betrayed by the Chapelle special.https://twitter.com/JaclynPMoore/status/1445917679546679300\u00a0\u2026— Corinne Low (@Corinne Low) 1633613133
She is not \u201cboycotting.\u201d She said she is making a conscious decision to no longer work w/ or make pitches to the network. She also says that its not her place to cancel Or tell him he shouldnt make the jokes. But she can say she thinks they are dangerous.https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/dear-white-people-showrunner-jaclyn-214909685.html\u00a0\u2026— Erika Jaynes Paystub That Andy Knows The Amount Of (@Erika Jaynes Paystub That Andy Knows The Amount Of) 1633666060
@netflix needs to be held accountable for even allowing this special to be released. @DaveChappelle also needs to be held accountable. This is not comedy. I thought we were heading in the direction of holding people accountable. Or is he exempt for some reason?— Shane (They/Them) (@Shane (They/Them)) 1633630047
Incredibly proud of @JaclynPMoore for taking this stance, and I hope her cis colleagues follow suit.https://twitter.com/KateAurthur/status/1446234393350008841\u00a0\u2026— Lux \ud83e\udddc\ud83c\udffb\u200d\u2640\ufe0f Dannyzen (@Lux \ud83e\udddc\ud83c\udffb\u200d\u2640\ufe0f Dannyzen) 1633644768
Neither Chappelle nor Netflix have commented on the controversy as of this writing.
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