# Netflix CEO doubles down on "transphobia in media isn't harmful" **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 14, 2021, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494 "2021-10-14T15:38:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/121 "2021-10-19T21:40:40Z")
I haven’t said that I was certain about anything. You made the claim. Prove it. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/122 "2021-10-19T21:40:51Z")
Oh. You do really mean what you are saying. ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/123 "2021-10-19T21:41:42Z")
> [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](#): > > I would sum it up as a comedian makes people uncomfortable for a living. But when liberals were made uncomfortable they found such misbehavior inexcusable. They screamed and drove a woman to her death. Let’s revisit the fake-ass claim you made here with some evidence. So far this is your evidence: > [@](#): > > And the leftist Pharisees who disagree with that should reflect on Ms Dorman. When Mr Chappelle was lambasted as a trans phobe after his previous Netflix show, she tweeted that he was nothing of the kind and her friend. She was hounded in turn; then jumped to her death off a towerblock. An _opinion_ that doesn’t even directly make the claim that she was “driven to her death”, note the use of the semicolon (do you know what a semicolon means in written English? It signifies the end of one clause and the beginning of new one, even the Economist editorial is not asserting she was “driven to her death.”) ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/124 "2021-10-19T21:44:42Z")
It is good you are so sure. She was harshly treated because of what she said. She then killed herself. You are certain the two are unrelated. Why yes, I do understand the semicolon. Thank you for asking. ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/125 "2021-10-19T21:45:56Z")
What evidence do you have to support your claim that liberals “drove a woman to her death”? I can assume if you respond again without the evidence, that is a tacit admission you made it up and have no evidence at all. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/126 "2021-10-19T21:46:17Z")
A reminder to all that this is MPSIMS, not the Pit. This discussion is getting hostile and personal. Dial it back. RickJay Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/127 "2021-10-19T21:46:18Z")
My claim is we don’t know why Dorman killed herself. Your claim is she was hounded to death by liberals. Whose being “certain” here? ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/128 "2021-10-19T21:47:17Z")
Of course. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/129 "2021-10-19T22:23:19Z")
> [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](#): > > In any case, you ought to consider the certainty of your beliefs. In my experience, certainty is the second-most dangerous thing in the world. I’m not certain of anything. You seem to be certain of something on little or no evidence. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/130 "2021-10-19T22:29:42Z")
As I and others have repeatedly said, we aren’t certain of anything. Why do you keep making that overly silly statement? You made a claim upthread and it was offensive by the way. We have been asking for proof of that. You haven’t provided it. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/131 "2021-10-19T23:15:10Z")
**Paul** I’ve started a Pit thread to discuss your behavior. I thought you should know. > [@Paul Was In Saudi is Pitted](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-was-in-saudi-suicide-by-mod-senility-hacked-account/952796): > > Paul wasn’t really on my radar until he left Saudi Arabia. Then, his behavior changed and became so outrageous I figured he was either actively trying to be banned or somebody had gotten ahold of his password and was using his account to troll us. Then, for a bit he was quiet again. Now, in this thread [Netflix CEO doubles down on "transphobia in media isn't harmful"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494) he is being outrageous, stupid and hateful. He asserts, repeatedly and without evidence that rather than the family trauma her fa… ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2021, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/132 "2021-10-21T01:25:44Z")
Here’s some news: > **[Chappelle special spurs Netflix walkout and counter protests](https://apnews.com/article/arts-and-entertainment-los-angeles-elliot-page-dave-chappelle-a80a7a9267520c5bbc8f0b755302b5b2)** > > LOS ANGELES (AP) — Netflix employees who walked out Wednesday in protest of Dave Chappelle's special and its anti-transgender comments were joined by allies who chanted “Trans lives matter,” getting pushback from counterprotesters who also showed up. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2021, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/133 "2021-10-21T12:35:48Z")
I have to wonder how this thread would be going if Ms. Dorman committed suicide because people refused to use her preferred pronoun in emails? ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2021, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/134 "2021-11-01T13:00:50Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > I think that his message of, “ _I may not understand this but I’m going to work on being less of a dick about it in an effort that one day I might_ ”, should not be something that is vilified. I watched the special, and I did not get that message from his comedy. Like, at ALL. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2021, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/135 "2021-11-01T13:05:55Z")
Okay? ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2021, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/136 "2021-11-01T13:35:53Z")
Well, you keep using “did you even watch the special” as some sort of “gotcha”. Fact is, I watched the special the night it came out, because I am (maybe was\*) a pretty big fan of Chappelle’s stand-up comedy. His previous Netflix specials were funny, even if they had their weak points (and his jokes about trans people were always the weakest point of his routine). I just find it ironic that people are holding up this special like it was some bastion of great comedy unfettered by cancel culture. No, it felt like Chappelle was upset about the feedback he received for his LGBT segments on prior stand-up routines and decided to done down and make his entire special one long rant about cancel culture (which he got paid millions for, of course, revealing how bullshit the whole concept of “cancel culture” actually is). Chappelle is just being a pathetic snowflake who can’t handle criticism of his humor. I think what’s sad is, if someone made a similarly themed routine targeting black people, I’m sure Chappelle would have been able to very eloquently explain why that’s not “just humor”. I always find it sad when a member of one oppressed group is so blind to the oppression of others, but it’s pretty common (and I’m sure I’m guilty of it as well, to an extent- discrimination against Jewish people will always stand out to me more. But at least I try to correct for that). - to clarify - if Chappelle continues down this path, and future specials are just long rants about trans people and cancel culture, I’m probably done with Chappelle. That’s just tiresome nonsense. If he goes back to making actual comedy, I’ll keep watching THAT. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2021, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/137 "2021-11-01T13:58:48Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > Well, you keep using “did you even watch the special” as some sort of “gotcha”. Fact is, I watched the special the night it came out, because I am (maybe was\*) a pretty big fan of Chappelle’s stand-up comedy. His previous Netflix specials were funny, even if they had their weak points (and his jokes about trans people were always the weakest point of his routine). As I’ve repeatedly said, I’ve never been a fan of his, nor do I find him particularly funny. This was the only special I’ve ever watched and only because I was curious about what the controversy was about. I’m still not a fan of his comedy. It’s just okay. > [@Babale](#): > > I just find it ironic that people are holding up this special like it was some bastion of great comedy unfettered by cancel culture. No, it felt like Chappelle was upset about the feedback he received for his LGBT segments on prior stand-up routines and decided to done down and make his entire special one long rant about cancel culture (which he got paid millions for, of course, revealing how bullshit the whole concept of “cancel culture” actually is). That “cancel culture” has far more often failed to achieve its goals than succeeded is not evidence that it hasn’t made the attempts to do so. > [@Babale](#): > > Chappelle is just being a pathetic snowflake who can’t handle criticism of his humor. I think what’s sad is, if someone made a similarly themed routine targeting black people, I’m sure Chappelle would have been able to very eloquently explain why that’s not “just humor”. I always find it sad when a member of one oppressed group is so blind to the oppression of others, but it’s pretty common (and I’m sure I’m guilty of it as well, to an extent- discrimination against Jewish people will always stand out to me more. But at least I try to correct for that). Chappelle can whine all he wants about what he feels is unfair criticism of his “art”. Notably, the first words out of his mouth in this special are (in effect): “I want you to know that I’m rich and powerful”. This shows, at a minimum, that he’s self aware and what follows is to be taken with at least some grain of salt. People are equally entitled to criticize his comedy. Or not watch it. But demanding that it be removed from a platform because they are offended… as a long standing member of “Space Jews”, that’s the part that’s a step too far in my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2021, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/138 "2021-11-01T14:04:14Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > People are equally entitled to criticize his comedy. Or not watch it. But demanding that it be removed from a platform because they are offended… as a long standing member of “Space Jews”, that’s the part that’s a step too far in my opinion. As another “Space Jew”, if you thought that joke was at all like the hour+ he spent on trans people, I don’t know what to tell you. I wonder, do you feel the same way about people who want Patriot Purge (Tucker Carlson’s homage to Goebbels by the look of things) off of the Fox News streaming service? I’ll also note that I didn’t say anything about removing the special from Netflix. I also think anyone who chooses not to do business with Chappelle or Netflix because of it is well within their rights. I’m all for leaving the special up, I’m just not gonna shed any tears for Chappelle when he whines about how mean all the people calling him transphobic are. And I certainly won’t shed any tears for Netflix losing their “LGBTQ Friendly Street Cred”. It was always obvious they only made overtures towards the Trans community because it made them money; they’re not anyone’s friend, they’re a corporation. That’s OK, but if some of their customers were customers because of that street cred and now choose to leave, suck it up. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2021, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/139 "2021-11-01T15:09:13Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > As another “Space Jew”, if you thought that joke was at all like the hour+ he spent on trans people, I don’t know what to tell you. He did _not_ spend an hour+ talking about trans people. It’s precisely this kind of exaggeration that makes people roll their eyes. He covered, gays, lesbians, jews, whites, blacks and I don’t remember who else besides trans people in the entirety of the 72 minute special. I think we’re in agreement on the rest. Watch him, don’t watch him. Subscribe to Netflix, or unsubscribe from Netflix. Work for Netflix or quit. All well within your rights as a consumer and employee. Being shocked and deeply saddened that a corporate giant profits from various content, some of which is likely to offend some part of their audience is inane. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2021, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/140 "2021-11-01T15:14:28Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > He did _not_ spend an hour+ talking about trans people. It’s precisely this kind of exaggeration that makes people roll their eyes. He covered, gays, lesbians, jews, whites, blacks and I don’t remember who else besides trans people in the entirety of the 72 minute special. Dude, the vast majority of the special was about trans people. I kept thinking he was done and moving on, then he’d circle back around. It was tiresome, not very funny, and betrayed his deep bitterness at the situation. Pretty pathetic, all in all. > [@QuickSilver](#): > > Being shocked and deeply saddened that a corporate giant profits from various content, some of which is likely to offend some part of their audience is inane. The thing is, Netflix used their “pro Trans street cred” to make sales. Now they are losing the street cred and some of the subscribers who came along with that. I’m not “shocked” or “deeply saddened” but if that aspect of Netflix’s marketing was why I was a subscriber in the first place, and it made me cancel the subscription, that’s a foreseeable cost of doing business. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494.md?page=8)