After being called out for a New Year's Eve performance with Dave Chappelle, whose recent Netflix special The Closer was attacked for its inflammatory remarks regarding LGBTQ+ populations, Patton Oswalt assures fans that he supports trans rights.

After discovering the two were working in close proximity in Seattle, Oswalt was invited to perform a surprise set by old pal Chappelle.

“Thirty four YEARS we’ve been friends,” Oswalt wrote on Instagram on Sunday. “He’s refocused and refined ideas a lot of us took as settled about race history Life On Planet Earth and spun them around with a phrase or punchline. We’ve done bad good gigs, open mikes TV tapings. But we also 100% disagree about transgender rights representation.”

He continued, “I support trans peoples’ rights — ANYONE’S rights — to live safely in the world as their fullest selves. For all the things he’s helped ME evolve on, I’ll always disagree with where he stands NOW on transgender issues. But I also don’t believe a seeker like him is done evolving, learning. You know someone that long, see the struggles and changes, it’s impossible to cut them off. Impossible not to be hopeful and open and cheer them on.”

Oswalt also apologized to his fans for deleting their negative comments, promising to learn and grow from the experience.

“And I’m sorry, truly sorry, that I didn’t consider the hurt this would cause,” he wrote. “Or the DEPTH of that hurt. I’ve been messaging a lot on IG today, and the back and forth has really helped guide me in the writing of this. I (naively) deleted a lot of posts in the comment thread — critical ones from LGBTQ writers AND shit-posts by TERF/anti-trans orcs looking for clicks giggles. I wanted a “nice comment thread” about the pic with my friend. Ugh. So easy to think someone ELSE needs growth and miss the need in yourself. Gonna keep trying.”

Check out his full statement in Instagram post below.