Bill Maher Defends Dave Chappelle: “I’m Team Dave, but That Doesn’t Mean I’m Anti-Trans.” - The Mary Sue

Of course, HBO’s Bill Maher took some time on his show, Real-Time, to push back against criticism aimed at comedian Dave Chappelle, whose Netflix special has come under fire for being transphobic and caused a walkout from trans employees.

McWhorter then goes, “Many people don’t think so but—.” Already a great start.

“I’m Team Dave, but that doesn’t mean I’m anti-trans.

Sadly, it is so comedic to watch because he takes umbrage with the idea that there are no “two sides” to the discussion and that disagreeing with trans people doesn’t equal hate.

The thing that makes Maher’s comments so frustrating is that it edges on this “common sense” discussion line where he’s making it clear that he doesn’t hate or fear trans people, but he also seems to think people should be allowed to be uncomfortable with the realities of what it means to be trans.

Maher says that he doesn’t think he is “down” with the idea of people not having a gender when they are born and that he doesn’t have to be.

Still, a significant part of what Chappelle says is asking the LGBTQ community to stop “punching down” on his community.

Maher says he condemns trans hate but doesn’t think that Chappelle has anything to do with it?

Is Dave Chappelle responsible for transphobia.

Don’t want to call it transphobic because you don’t hate or fear trans people.

Not Dave Chappelle, who has a ton of money and public backing from people!

Maher doesn’t think you should be afraid to speak in America.

Well, it doesn’t look like Dave Chappelle is afraid?