Rumors are swirling that former The Chi actor Barton Fitzpatrick, a Chicago native who played gang leader Reggie, plans to retain a top anti-discrimination attorney.
The rumors were fueled by reports that Fitzpatrick was forced to quit the Showtime series after he declined to have his character date a male-to-female transgender.
The news comes as top anti-discrimination attorney Douglas Wigdor confirmed in an email to Sandrarose.com today that he is representing the woman who accused Ed Henry of sexual harassment.
Henry was fired from Fox News on Tuesday, June 30, for a past sexual harassment incident.
Sources say The Chi‘s creator Lena Waithe “pressured” Fitzpatrick to play a character in a relationship with an MtF trans character.
Fitzpatrick announced his departure from the show in a tweet, saying he appreciated the opportunity to be on the series.
Reggie’s brother, Trig (played by Luke James), is Davis’ live-in love interest on season 3.
In an appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden, Waithe, 36, proudly announced a new trans character named Imani (played by Jasmine Davis).
“I’m so excited that we finally get to introduce our first trans character this season,” Waithe said. “Her name is Jasmine, she’s a Chicago native, she’s fantastic.”
“It’s definitely the gayest season ever,” Waithe said of season 3, which premiered Monday on Showtime.
Waithe said the show won’t bring any attention to the fact that Davis was born a male.
“We make sure to not point a finger or shed too much light on her being trans,” she said. “She’s an amazing woman, she’s an interesting character, and I’m excited that we finally get to do that this season.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXnB_981Btg&t=42m8s
