The LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD on Wednesday publicly rebuked Netflix boss Ted Sarandos over a leaked memo in which he defended the company’s decision to continue streaming Dave Chappelle’s latest comedy special despite uproar over its transphobic commentary by claiming that “content on screen doesn’t directly translate to real-world harm.”
“GLAAD was founded 36 years ago because media representation has consequences for LGBTQ people. Authentic media stories about LGBTQ lives have been cited as directly responsible for increasing public support for issues like marriage equality,” GLAAD said in a statement. “But film and TV have also been filled with stereotypes and misinformation about us for decades, leading to real world harm, especially for trans people and LGBTQ people of color.”