Education

Netflix Reportedly Gave Exec Second Chance After Investigating His Use Of Anti-LGBTQ Language


Topline

Netflix investigated a high-ranking Spanish executive this spring for use of anti-LGBTQ+ language and other accusations and decided to keep him in the same role, Bloomberg reported Monday morning, adding fuel to the firestorm created by Dave Chappelle’s “The Closer” stand-up comedy special, which was widely decried for being transphobic but defended by Netflix brass. 

Key Facts

In an internal memo obtained by Bloomberg, Netflix emailed Spanish employees that Spanish executive Diego Avalos “used language or demonstrated an attitude in various meetings that was not inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community and/or employees with children.”

Avalos, Netflix’s vice president of original content for Spain and Portugal, has worked at the company since 2014.

The memo also accused Avalos of using intimidation tactics, and the investigation concluded that he would be “held accountable for immediate growth.

”Netflix has not yet responded to Forbes’ request for comment.

Key Background

This is the latest charge in a string of criticisms against Netflix for airing and defending Chappelle’s special that many deemed transphobic, even leading LGBTQ+ advocacy group GLAAD to tweet, “Dave Chappelle’s brand has become synonymous with ridiculing trans people.” Netflix staunchly backed their decision, as co-CEO Ted Sarandos reportedly emailed employees last week that “content on screen doesn’t directly translate to real-world harm.” The streaming giant has also acted to quell internal debate regarding the special, as it suspended and later reinstated three employees, including a transgender engineer who is outspoken on Twitter, after they crashed a virtual meeting about Chappelle, and fired an employee for leaking to Bloomberg that Netflix spent $24.1 million for the rights to “The Closer.”

Chief Critic

 Sarandos also cited original content that support the LGBTQ+ community, such as stand-up specials from openly lesbian Australian comedian Hannah Gadsby, as defense for streaming Chappelle’s comments. Gadsby fired back at Sarandos last week with an Instagram post, writing that she has “to deal with even more of the hate and anger that Dave Chappelle’s fans like to unleash on me every time Dave gets 20 million dollars to process his emotionally stunted partial world view.” 

Further Reading

Netflix Investigated Top Spanish Executive for Anti-LGBTQ Remarks (Bloomberg)

Netflix Suspends Employees For Crashing Meeting Amid Chappelle Transphobia Controversy (Forbes)





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