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Trans Netflix workers drop labor complaint about Chappelle special, one resigns

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Posted at 3:07 AM, Nov 23, 2021
and last updated 2021-11-23 08:00:32-05

Two former Netflix employees who raised concerns about anti-transgender comments on Dave Chappelle's TV special are dropping labor complaints, and one has resigned from the company.

Terra Field, a senior software engineer who is trans, announced a voluntary resignation on Monday.

Field and B. Pagels-Minor also are dropping a National Labor Relations Board complaint that claimed retaliation.

Netflix fired Pagels-Minor last month for allegedly disclosing confidential information, which they've denied.

The complaint filed by Field and Pagels-Minor was fueled by the controversy surrounding Chappelle's new comedy special, "The Closer," which debuted on Netflix on Oct. 1. It's since been watched millions of times.

In the special, Chappelle defends writer J.K. Rowling, who has made comments that have been perceived as transphobic. Chappelle also defended DaBaby and criticized society for how it reacted to the rapper's homophobic remarks.

Netflix has stood by the special. According to The Verge and Variety, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos told employees in a company-wide memo that the company stood by Chappelle and that he did not feel the comments ventured into hate speech.

On Oct. 20, about 100 Netflix employees staged a walkout supporting trans employees in front of the platform's Los Angeles studio-office complex.