The transgender Netflix program manager who was fired for allegedly leaking Dave Chappelle's multi-million dollar salary claims they did not share the information, while scolding the streaming giant for its insensitivity toward trans people and its handling of the comedian's controversial comedy special.
Netflix had confirmed that it fired an employee - who identified themselves as B. Pagels-Minor in a Thursday Op-Ed for the Washington Post - for leaking that it paid Dave Chappelle $24.1 million for his Netflix special 'The Closer,' which contains transphobic material.
Pagels-Minor said that while they were not behind the leak, they did confirm that they were pushing for 'change' at the company after sharing 'Black Trans Lives Matter' content with executives.
'I shared my story with Netflix content executives last year as a part of a conversation to facilitate more trans content on the platform. I wasn’t the only one. Trans colleagues remained utterly professional as they also shared their stories,' wrote Pagels-Minor, who transitioned in 2014 after meeting their now-wife.
The Netflix program manager, who identified themselves as B. Pagels-Minor (pictured) on Thursday, firmly denied leaking Dave Chappelle's $24.1m salary for his special 'The Closer'
Dave Chappelle continues to face backlash over the controversial contents of his latest Netflix special which critics say were transphobic
'We asked to be seen as equals. We asked them to recognize our stories, to see that we deserve a place on the platform. We felt vulnerable, but at least they heard us.'
Pagels-Minor added that the company did not consult with the internal Trans Employee Resource Group before releasing Chappelle's special, which they characterized as harmful.
'The release of Chappelle’s special, 'The Closer,' happened without consulting the Trans* Employee Resource Group (ERG), of which I was a member and co-leader.'
'The ERG might have recommended not releasing the special — but that if that wasn’t an option, we could have offered other ways to minimize the harm it could do to our community and to the company.'
'But Netflix didn't ask for guidance, deeply miscalculating the impact of this inflammatory, inaccurate and dangerous content,' they continued.
Pagels-Minor had organized an employee walkout Wednesday at the company's Sunset Boulevard building following an LGBTQ backlash against the comedian over controversial material he used in his Netflix comedy special, and by 7 pm that evening, they had been terminated from the company.
Pagels-Minor helped to organize Wednesday's walkout, pictured, and was fired by 7 pm that evening
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings defended the platform's decision to continue streaming Dave Chappelle's controversial comedy special The Closer
They also cited the ill-planned timing for Chappelle's Netflix special, which was released during LGBTQ+ history month and a day before the anniversary of the slaying of Matthew Shepard.
'The ERG could have suggested that the special not be released in October, during LGBTQ+ history month. Perhaps, they could have considered not doing it on October 5, the day before the anniversary of the brutal death of Matthew Shepard, the University of Wyoming student who was beaten, tortured and left to die near Laramie on the night of Oct. 6, 1998.'
A spokesperson for the company confirmed on Friday: 'We have let go of an employee for sharing confidential, commercially sensitive information outside the company.
'We understand this employee may have been motivated by disappointment and hurt with Netflix, but maintaining a culture of trust and transparency is core to our company.'
Pagels-Minor was fired for sharing that Netflix spent $24.1 million on The Closer and $23.6 million on his 2019 special Sticks & Stones - 'a charge I firmly deny' they said in Thursday's Op-Ed.
In comparison, the company spent $3.9 million for Bo Burnham's critically acclaimed comedy special Inside and $21.4 million for Squid Game, which became Netflix's biggest series launch.
Netflix's CEO Reed Hastings told staff the firm was 'on the right side of history' for continuing to stream and promote Dave Chappelle's controversial comedy special The Closer.
A leaked transcript from an internal Netflix message board between company employees recorded disagreements about Chappelle's controversial comedy special.
Hastings told employees that Chappelle is 'a unique voice' as he defended the comedian who has come under fire for his defense of author J.K. Rowling and jokes a vocal few are calling transphobic.
Transgender employees were so upset by 'The Closer' and Netflix's stance that they joined Pagels-Minor in a staged walkout Wednesday.
When one employee asked if the company was 'making the wrong historical choice around hate speech' on the internal message board, Hastings replied 'To your macro question on being on the right side of history, we will always continue to reflect on the tensions between freedom and safety.
'I do believe that our commitment to artistic expression and pleasing our members is the right long term choice for Netflix, and that we are on the right side, but only time will tell,' according to The New York Times.
He also noted that Chappelle is popular with viewers, citing the 'stickiness' of his most recent special.
The Closer has scored 96 percent positive reviews from regular viewers on Rotten Tomatoes - but just 43 per cent from woke critics.
Hastings wrote: 'The core strategy is to please our members.'
'In stand-up comedy, comedians say lots of outrageous things for effect. Some people like the art form, or at least particular comedians, and others do not.'
Another employee claimed that the famous comedian had a history of homophobia and bigotry.
Hastings replied: 'We disagree with your characterization and we'll continue to work with Dave Chappelle in the future.
'We see him as a unique voice, but can understand if you or others never want to watch his show.'
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