When I wrote about this a few weeks ago, I did so from the perspective of the editor of a small LGBTQ intersectionalist journal that amplifies the voices of Black writers and transgender writers, some of whom obviously are the same people at the same time.

Pointing out that TERFs and "gender critical" feminists are acting emboldened and validated by Chappelle's 'Closer', I asked rhetorically if it even matters if he is transphobic. I believe him when he says he was close to Daphne and valued her highly, but as you point out his personal feelings are not the point of trans people's objections to the special.

I'd like to believe he just didn't do his reading. Your analysis nudges me toward the position that maybe he did, and maybe he does have some troubling ideas that are actually informed ideas.

I don't know, I just know that I'm so disappointed a man who has stood up for many years with cutting, necessary social commentary is apparently validating ideas that are going to make life harder than it already is for trans people, many of whom are my friends and colleagues.