Here's why there's controversy around Dave Chappelle's 'SNL' hosting gig

Dave Chappelle is returning to "Saturday Night Live" as a third-time host, and the reception hasn't all been warm.

Chappelle's return this weekend comes as the comedian has faced continued backlash for his 2021 Netflix special "The Closer," due to his remarks about the LGBTQ+ community, in particular his focus on the transgender community.

The comedian's appearance is also significant because "SNL" hired its first nonbinary cast member, Molly Kearney, in September. "Wonder how SNL’s first nonbinary castmember this season must feel about them platforming Dave Chappelle next week. Disappointing but not surprising. Feeling for Molly Kearney right now," one person tweeted after his hosting gig was announced.

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Another fan wrote: "I love SNL. I've been a fan all my life. But having Dave Chappelle on as host is not the move. You have your first non-binary cast member ever and then you book an proud and open transphobe. What a disappointment."

Several other accounts replied to "SNL" posts about Chappelle with a photo of Don Cheadle wearing a "protect trans kids" shirt during his hosting gig in 2019.

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Here's everything we know about Chappelle's "SNL" appearance and backlash:

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"SNL" writer Celeste Yim shared a seemingly pointed message after Chappelle was announced as Saturday's host. "I'm trans and non-binary. I use they/them pronouns. Transphobia is murder and it should be condemned," they wrote on their Instagram Story alongside a photo from work, captured by a Reddit screenshot.

Wednesday, Page Six reported that some staff writers boycotted Chappelle although no actors have. The comedian's rep told the outlet, "There was no evidence of a boycott.”

“The room was full of writers," the rep said regarding a writers meeting Tuesday. "They all pitched ideas and they seemed very excited about it. … Dave is looking to have some fun."

USA TODAY has reached out to a rep for Chappelle.

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Chappelle standup special 'The Closer' drew transphobia allegations

Chappelle's standup special "The Closer" led to a walkout from Netflix employees in protest when co-CEO Ted Sarandos doubled down on his defense of it despite accusations of transphobia.

In the special, Chappelle also attempted to juxtapose the pace of civil rights gained by LGBTQ+ people over those fought for by the Black community and expressed solidarity with "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling, who drew backlash in 2019 for conflating sex with gender.

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The comedian was attacked on stage due to 'triggering' standup material

In May, Chappelle was attacked onstage at the Hollywood Bowl during the Netflix Is A Joke festival. Isaiah Lee, who was charged with assault with a deadly weapon after pointing a replica handgun at Chappelle, told the New York Post the comedian's set was "triggering" for him. Lee denied having the weapon drawn when he approached the comedian.

"I identify as bisexual … and I wanted him to know what he said was triggering," Lee told the outlet. "I wanted him to know that next time, he should consider first running his material by people it could affect."

Lee also claimed he went to the show at the Hollywood Bowl to have a "good time," but became increasingly upset as Chappelle allegedly joked about his controversy regarding the LGBTQ community, homelessness and pedophilia.

The day after the attack, Chappelle responded through his rep Carla Sims and said he refused to allow the incident to overshadow the magic of this historic moment."

"As unfortunate and unsettling as the incident was, Chappelle went on with the show," Sims said.

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Students at Chappelle's high school alma mater criticized him during theater renaming ceremony

The backlash continued as students at his high school alma mater criticized Chappelle last November, when the school's Duke Ellington School of Arts was supposed to be named after him. In June, he announced the theater would instead be named the "Theater of Artistic Freedom & Expression."

Chappelle said the criticism from students "sincerely hurt me." Netflix posted footage of the comedian's speech in July in a nearly 39-minute feature titled "What's in a Name," currently streaming on the platform.

Contributing: Jenna Ryu, Elise Brisco, Charles Trepany

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dave Chappelle hosts 'SNL': Controversy, what he said explained