Internet Lashes Out as Dave Chappelle Defends J.K. Rowling’s Stance on Gender

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dave chappelle

Credit: Netlfix (left) ABC (right)

Although author J.K. Rowling is credited with creating the magical and fantastical world of Harry Potter, she has been in the hot seat when it comes to the media as of late due to her political view and standpoints on certain issues.

JK Rowling
Source: J.K Rowling

J.K. Rowling has made public social media posts that indicate she does not necessarily support the transgender community and, as a result, has received backlash from both fans and Harry Potter movie actors. Now, it seems another famous Hollywood star has gotten himself involved in J.K. Rowling’s drama in a recent comedy special and is not getting a good reaction to it.

Dave Chappelle holding a microphone
Credit: Netflix

Comedian Dave Chappelle recently released his sixth comedy special on Netflix called The Closer. In the special, Chappelle refers to the LGBTQ+ community, and specifically, the transgender community. In one of his “bits” he spoke about coming to J.K. Rowling’s defense on her alleged stance towards the transgender community. 

It was reported that Chappelle said: 

“They canceled J.K. Rowling — my God. Effectually she said gender was a fact, the trans community got mad as s—, they started calling her a TERF,” Chappelle said, referring to “trans-exclusionary radical feminists” whose views about gender are seen as anti-trans. I’m team TERF. … Gender is a fact.”

redmayne defends rowling
Credit: Debra Hurford Brown/Rowling

Of course, if J.K. Rowling has received heavy backlash for her comments on the community, Dave Chappelle was not going to get through this special unscathed. Below, you can see a few of the reactions from his special from Twitter, and there are many more which fall in the same vein.

Taylor Ashbrook (@taylor_ashbrook) commented on Chappelle’s jokes towards the trans community being acceptable in the past, but now feels things have gone too far.

As a trans woman, I have usually defended Dave Chappelle’s specials because I think they’re hilarious and his jokes about trans women never felt intentionally malicious.

The Closer changed my mind on that. That special felt so lazy and disingenuous and I’m really disappointed.

Danielle (@DanielleJSantos) said:

Never would I think JK Rowling and Dave Chappelle has so much in common. Trans people aren’t offended. They are tired of the violence that stem from words like theirs. They are LOUD and they are DANGEROUS.

Big Wet Leaf Truther (@IanAger) stated:

Dave Chappelle tying himself to the JK Rowling wagon would be a hilarious meta-joke were it not already proven that transphobia is a gateway drug for fascists.

What do you think about Dave Chappelle’s comments on the trans community and his defending of J.K. Rowling?

 

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