Comedian Lil Duval (born name Roland Powell) is receiving backlash after making transphobic comments on talk show “The Breakfast Club.” Duval said that if he found out a partner was transgender, he’d kill her. “This might sound messed up, but I don’t care, she dying,” he said during his Friday appearance on the show.
The conversation started when host Angela Yee brought up the ban on transgender people serving in the military announced by President Donald Trump last week. “I’m just doing my thing. Shout out to all the trannies out there,” started Duval using an offensive slur and continuing to say he’d kill a transgender partner.
Host Charlamagne Tha God (aka Leonard Lenard McKelvey) pointed out the absurdity of Duval’s statement. “That’s a hate crime, you can’t do that,” he said.
“You manipulated me to believe this thing. My mind, I’m gay now,” Duval said. “There should be some kind of repercussions for that if you do that to somebody. Until then, I’m going to have my own repercussions.”
The stand-up comedian’s comments are having their own repercussions, with Twitter in an uproar over Duval’s transphobia. Actress Laverne Cox joined in on the conversation, tweeting “After taking several deep breaths I just got teary thinking about all my sisters experiencing violence, beaten, raped, murdered and some.” According to Human Rights Campaign, there have been at least 15 reported deaths of transgender people from hate crimes this year.
Cox continued: “Some folks think it’s ok to joke about wanting to kill us. We have free speech but that speech has consequences and trans folks are experiencing the negative consequences with our lives. It hurts my spirit cause this isn’t funny. Our lives matter. Trans murder isn’t a joke.”
After taking several deep breaths I just got teary thinking about all my sisters experiencing violence, beaten, raped, murdered and some https://t.co/QyNXp11ysL
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) July 30, 2017
Some folks think it's ok to joke about wanting to kill us. We have free speech but that speech has consequences and trans folks are
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) July 30, 2017
Experiencing the negative consequences with our lives. It hurts my spirit cause this isn't funny. Our lives matter. Trans murder isn't a
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) July 30, 2017
The hashtag #TransFolksAreNotJokes gained traction, and people are not happy with Duval’s ignorant comments.
This is so necessary. We need more Black cis men speaking out against transphobia. #TransFolksAreNotJokes https://t.co/HFkMXjKcBk
— Raquel Willis (@RaquelWillis_) July 31, 2017
https://twitter.com/Russian_Starr/status/892033659640926210
https://twitter.com/Russian_Starr/status/891900347266027520
Hey Lil Duval,
All I'm saying is #TransFolksAreNotJokes pic.twitter.com/6drhF9mMuT
— Raquel Willis (@RaquelWillis_) July 30, 2017
#TransFolksAreNotJokes If you are transphobic in any way/shape/form, I have no interest in being affiliated with you in any way/shape/form.
— it’s black and it’s pink once the sun down (@krispykremepie) July 31, 2017
Let's say it together#TransFolksAreNotJokes#TransFolksAreNotJokes#TransFolksAreNotJokes
— William C. (@williamcson) July 31, 2017
#TransFolksAreNotJokes they are human beings… respect them as such.
— Polemicist (@PalmTreesnGz) July 31, 2017
https://twitter.com/dovbtyouout/status/891868709987504132
Watch the conversation on “The Breakfast Club” above. It starts around the 6:20 minute mark.