But in an Aug. 23 interview with The Washington Blade, Chappelle himself elaborated on his live act, shrugging off the suggestion that he’s transphobic. “I wouldn’t consider myself that because I’m not even sure what the term means,” he told the Blade’s News Editor Michael K. Lavers. “Do I discriminate against somebody because they’re trans? I would like to think absolutely not.”
The 43-year-old then added, “I’m not an obstructionist of anybody’s lifestyle, as long as it doesn’t hurt me or people I love and I don’t believe that lifestyle does.”
Critics, however, feel a bit differently. In his Aug. 2 review for Vulture, Jesse David Fox wrote that Chappelle cracked insensitive jokes about President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender officers in the military at Radio City.
Though telephones and other audio recording devices were prohibited during the show, Fox’s review quotes Chappelle as saying, “If I was in ISIS in the trenches fighting against the United States and all of the sudden I see a man with a beard and big D-cups titties just rushing my foxhole and shit, I’d be horrified.”
Later in the Radio City show, he apparently offered his take on since-debunked reports that Caitlyn Jenner would be posing nude in an upcoming issue of Sports Illustrated. “I figured I’d just say it for everybody — yuck,” he said, according to Fox’s review. “Fuck, man, I just want to read some stats, like why are you cramming man-pussy in the middle of the sports page like that?”
Chappelle explained to The Washington Blade that comedy which touched on minority issues was, simply, a “reconciliation of paradox.”
“These are true things that shouldn’t be true and I’m certain that in the trans narrative, there is also a lot of paradox,” he said. “I’m learning like the rest of the population is and now they have a platform. They’re articulating these things and we’re all here... this is news to many of us.”
Still, many LGBTQ rights advocates aren’t buying it. Texas-based transgender activist Monica Roberts likened Chappelle’s most recent comments to those of comedian Lil Duval, who ignited a media firestorm in July when he joked that he would “kill” a woman if he found out she was transgender after having sex with her.
“Being transgender is not a ‘lifestyle,’” Roberts told the Blade. “It’s the essence of who we are as people. And some transgender people are unapologetically black and catching hell for being both.” Longtime LGBTQ rights advocate Rev. Merrick Moise, who is also trans, felt similarly. “Dave is an example of many who just don’t get it,” Moise said. “Clearly he needs more education and conversation with black trans people to understand the gravity of his jokes made in poor taste.”
Exactly how effective Brown's anger management classes are going is questionable, given the series of homophobic, racially-charged tweets he sent out last December after rapper Raz, formerly of the group B2K, set him off. "@razb2k n---a you want attention!" he wrote. "Grow up n----a!!! Dick in da ass lil boy...Tell me this @razb2k!! Why when the money was coming in u won't complaining about getting butplugged! #homothug!!!" Later, Brown wrote, "I'm not homophobic! He's just disrespectful!!!"
Roland Martin
CNN's Martin came under fire from gay rights groups after tweeting that people should "smack the ish out" of male fans of a steamy Super Bowl commercial starring David Beckham. Martin, who has been a longtime analyst for CNN, was actively tweeting throughout the Super Bowl. After an H&M commercial featuring Beckham clad only in his underwear aired, Martin tweeted messages making fun of men who may have liked the ad. He wrote that "real bruhs" would not purchase underwear advertised by Beckham, and that people should "smack the ish out" of a male supporter of the ad.
Hope Akpan
The British soccer player found himself in hot water after the following comment appeared on his Twitter account: "Gays all over the tele what's wrong with Britain! Sorry I'm #FullyHomophobic." Akpan quickly apologized and denied sending the tweet himself, saying that someone in his family posted the comment without his knowledge. It was subsequently deleted.
Blake Shelton
No stranger to perceived homophobia, Shelton was heavily criticized after he tweeted, "Re-writing my fav Shania Twain song ... Any man that tries touching my behind he's gonna be a beaten, bleedin', heaving kind of guy." He later apologized for the gaffe via Twitter, noting:
Hey y'all allow me to seriously apologize for the misunderstanding with the whole re-write on the Shania song last night...
It honestly wasn't even meant that way... I now know that their are people out there waiting to jump at everything I say on here or anywhere
But when it comes to gay/lesbian rights or just feelings... I love everybody. So go look for a real villain and leave me out of it!!!
The original lyrics are, "Any man of mine better walk the line/ Better show me a teasin', squeezin', pleasin' kinda time."
Cee Lo Green
In June, the singer and "The Voice" co-host lashed out on Twitter after a Minnesota music editor gave an episode of the hit series a lackluster review. He tweeted: "I respect your criticism, but be fair! People enjoyed last night! I'm guessing you're gay? And my masculinity offended you? Well f--k you!" As E Online is reporting, Cee Lo attempted an apology on Twitter, writing: "Apologies gay community! What was homophobic about that? I said I was guessing he [was] gay which is fine but its nice to [know] what u think of me." The comment was deleted shortly thereafter.
Katy Perry
Though her pop hits "I Kissed A Girl" and "Ur So Gay" have made her an icon in the gay community, Perry nonetheless was called transphobic when she posted a naked photo of a transgender person (a hairy body with breasts) alongside the caption, "NSFW! I knew those little white last week of the birth control pills would still have an effect on your body! FU."
50 Cent
The rapper was slammed after he tweeted: "Perez Hilton calld me douchebag so I had my homie shoot up a gay wedding. wasnt his but still made me feel better." He was also called particularly insensitive when he tweeted: "If you a man and your over 25 and you don't eat pu**y just kill your self damn it. The world will be a better place. Lol"
Stephanie Rice
The triple Olympic swimming gold medalist lost a major sponsorship after she tweeted, 'Suck on that faggots" when Australia's rugby union team, the Wallabies, defeated South Africa's Springboks in 2010. She later apologized, saying, "My comments were thoughtless and careless but I can assure you when I made those comments on Twitter I never intended to offend anybody."
The Game
The Game first offered his take on homosexuality in general in an interview, noting, "Game has a problem with people that are pretending not to be gay and are gay because the number one issue with that is that you could be fooling somebody and you could give them AIDS and they can die and so that in the closet sh*t is real scary." When TMZ wrote up the interview, he reportedly tweeted, "TMZ but look around, shit I be surprised when I see someone who's not GAY. My girl hair stylist is GAY & he kool. @50cent GAY n we was kool."
Kristian Phillips
A tweet by Welsh rugby player Phillips read, "Aaron is the biggest loser I have ever seen, trying to turn it around and make Jay and Louise look bad! #BBUK #Faggot #Gimp #Getalife," allegedly referring to 2011's "Big Brother" winner Aaron Allard-Morgan, who kissed a male contestant on the show, Pink News is reporting. That tweet has since been deleted.
Soulja Boy
Though he later claimed his account had been hacked, Soulja Boy got heat when the following message reportedly appeared on his Twitter: "I'm gonna keep talking sh*t to these white f*ggots until they unlike my page. f**king weirdo stalkers!"
Antony Golec
Golec, an Australian soccer player, was slammed as homophobic after he tweeted remarks about a referee. Golec obviously disagreed with Foschini's red card, first tweeting "Ben Williams worst referee ever" before posting "Ben Williams you are gay, biggest homo going around, you gypsy."
Jeremy Fuller
In June, Fuller -- a contract Red Bull racing crewman -- was fired after posting a photo of a gay pride banner on a car in San Francisco with the comment, "This is way [sic] I don't live here!" Though he removed the posts, he was nonetheless terminated from his position. "It was a joke between two friends and it cost me both of my jobs," Fuller said. "I'm not racist and I do not hate gay people. It wasn't intended to be what [it appeared]."
Robert Peston
The BBC's Business Editor Robert Peston is currently fighting homophobia claims, after he posted an article to his Twitter account which read, "The Debt Management Office, has taken a reassuringly long-term approach to managing the UK government's debts - and without its prudence, we might all be in Queer Street or Skid Row by now." Two hours later, in response to the flurry of criticism, Peston wrote, "Some of you seem to think my use of the phrase 'Queer Street' is in some way homophobic. Bonkers."
Ian Krol
The Oakland A's suspended pitching prospect Ian Krol (not pictured) this summer after he posted "a derogatory comment that included a homophobic slur and offensive language," according to The San Francisco Chronicle. The tweet, which has since been deleted, reportedly read: "ASU is a bunch of fake a** f***, get on one knee a **** **, I'm better than you'll ever be..."
Former NBA guard Darius Morris has died at the age of 33. He played for five teams during his four NBA seasons. Morris played college basketball at Michigan.
Affluent Americans may want to double-check how much of their bank deposits are protected by government-backed insurance. The rules governing trust accounts just changed.
Miami Heat president Pat Riley rebuked comments Jimmy Butler made about the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks, while also implying that his star needs to play more.
Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman discuss the Padres-Marlins trade that sent Luis Arraez to San Diego, as well as recap all the action from this weekend in baseball and send birthday wishes to hall-of-famer Willie Mays.
An annual government report offered a glimmer of good news for Social Security and a jolt of good news for Medicare even as both programs continue to be on pace to run dry next decade.
Jason Fitz and Frank Schwab join forces to recap the draft in the best way they know how: letter grades! Fitz and Frank discuss all 32 teams division by division as they give a snapshot of how fans should be feeling heading into the 2024 season. The duo have key debates on the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders and more.
Some key hitting performances need a trip under the magnifying glass. Fantasy baseball analyst Scott Pianowski does just that and advises managers on what to do next.
![In June, the singer and "The Voice" co-host<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/ceelogreen" target="_hplink"> lashed out on Twitter</a> after a Minnesota music editor gave an episode of the hit series a lackluster review. He tweeted: "I respect your criticism, but be fair! People enjoyed last night! I'm guessing you're gay? And my masculinity offended you? Well f--k you!" As E Online is reporting, Cee Lo <a href="http://www.eonline.com/news/cee_lo_says_sorry_outrageous_homophobic/248478" target="_hplink">attempted an apology </a>on Twitter, writing: "Apologies gay community! What was homophobic about that? I said I was guessing he [was] gay which is fine but its nice to [know] what u think of me." The comment was deleted shortly thereafter.](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/yAs6ZInGtYtgOBw7D0G1JA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MA--/https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/55a671221900002500b86567.jpg)
![In June, Fuller -- a contract Red Bull racing crewman -- was <a href="http://www.scenedaily.com/news/articles/sprintcupseries/Red_Bull_crewman_fired_for_homophobic_tweets.html" target="_hplink">fired after posting a photo</a> of a gay pride banner on a car in San Francisco with the comment, "This is way [sic] I don't live here!" Though he removed the posts, he was nonetheless terminated from his position. "It was a joke between two friends and it cost me both of my jobs," Fuller said. "I'm not racist and I do not hate gay people. It wasn't intended to be what [it appeared]."](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/F4Oiov4Z5HtP1b_jIQvp9A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MA--/https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/55a671251200002c00134b23.jpg)
