A theater in Minneapolis had to cancel comedian Dave Chappelle’s stand-up show and the performer was forced to move to another venue at the last minute.
An activist group complained that the comedian “harmed” them with his “transphobic views.”
At $129.50 each ticket, a total of almost $200,000 was lost in revenue by the theater.
The performance was moved to the Varsity Theater and follow-up shows were held there.
The First Avenue Theatre apologized for “failing to be a safe space” after a 125-signature complaint, launched via a Change.org petition, over what were considered transphobic jokes, forced them to cancel.
“To staff, artists, and our community, we hear you and we are sorry,” the First Avenue Theater staff said in a statement, announcing that the show had been canceled.
Chappelle has a history of problems and there were boycotts against his Netflix stand-up show, “The Closer,” in October. Chappelle makes jokes about trans people and the LGBTQ community. He talked about trans women’s genitalia and said, “gender is a fact.”
Chappelle says he offered to meet with critics and Netflix staff who had complained about the show.
“It’s been said in the press that I was invited to speak with transgender employees at Netflix and I refused.”
“That is not true. If they had invited me I would’ve accepted, although I am confused about what we’re speaking about,” he said.
Chappelle counters the criticism by saying he is a “team TERF.” TERF refers to “trans-exclusionary radical feminist,” meaning a cisgender woman who does not support trans women.
The First Avenue Theater protesters’ petition said, “Dave Chappelle has a record of being dangerous to trans people, and First Avenue has a duty to protect the community.“
“Chappelle’s actions uphold a violent heteronormative culture and directly violate First Avenue’s code of conduct.”
“If staff and guests are held to this standard, performers should be too.”
