ABC recieves complaints over Chaz Bono casting on DWTS.

[Guest Risu]

http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=666994

The article itself is very kind and continually refers to Chaz as "he", but they shared some of the comments posted on the DWTS website and forums which of course, do not respect his identity, and despite the usual she/he he/she nonsense, the author still maintained their stand on properly identifying Chaz.

Two thumbs up to the author, as for the article I suppose it is correct in saying that how americans react, and vote for him and his performance will reveal quite a bit about our country's attitude toward trans people.

~Risu.

[Guest Donna Jean]

.

I agree....good job on the article......

On the other hand, lots of the comments hypocrisy made me laugh......

"YOUR choice to bring Chaz Bono into the mix goes too far. I am not about to risk the potential for on screen dialogue about sex changes and gender confusion while my 7 and 9 year old are watching.

LOL...yeah, while your 7 and 9 year olds are watching people do sexually suggestive dances like the Tango....and womens underwear while being thrown about and rubbing one partners hands on the other's thighs....

These dances are sexually suggestive.....That's appropriate child entertainment?....

Oh my Gawd!

Dee Jay

[JJ]

You nailed it Dee Jay!

[Carolyn Marie]

.

LOL...yeah, while your 7 and 9 year olds are watching people do sexually suggestive dances like the Tango....and womens underwear while being thrown about and rubbing one partners hands on the other's thighs....

These dances are sexually suggestive.....That's appropriate child entertainment?....

Absolutely correct, Dee Jay. I'm sure they also see nothing wrong with their little children watching episodes of "The Real Housewives..." and other reality fare. Yeah, a little discussion about being accepting and tolerant of others is definitely going to warp their minds.

Hey, you don't like it, don't friggin watch!

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Mia J]

Maybe we should go and post positive comments to show our support. I have to admit I have never watched the show but I will now to see how Chaz does.

Mia

[Guest John Chiv]

The article does mention that while there were negative comments, there were also many who defended Chaz and made positive comments. The article is well-written but the writer also chose to only feature the negative comments.

John

[~Nova~]

I had a long diatribe written and deleted it.

My thoughts. We should remain as far out of the spotlight as possible. Cloaked, hidden, recondite.

Love you all

Autumn

[Drea]

It's about the ratings the money it brings in. They know there will be negative feedback and articles written about it. It is all publicity and what is gained overcomes what is lost.

As being gay is starting to become ho-hum as far as getting attention, trans is like the new gay as far serving the attention getting purposes.

I wouldn't blame some for being upset about the trans people being exploited for such purposes, but I suspect, just like the producers of such most in the trans community will be happy about the exposure whatever the motivation for it may be.

[JJ]

I suppose if you look hard enough there is a dark side to everything.

But living with an eye out for the darkness can make the world a dark and bitter place. At least in my experience. This is a complex world filled with both good and ill. While we must be aware that ill exists focusing on it tends to sour life and make it about what's bad rather than what's good for most people. I prefer the light.

As for me I will be glad to see some exposure and have more dialogue. Ignorance is and always has been our greatest enemy.

Johnny

[Guest Risu]

I suppose if you look hard enough there is a dark side to everything.

But living with an eye out for the darkness can make the world a dark and bitter place. At least in my experience. This is a complex world filled with both good and ill. While we must be aware that ill exists focusing on it tends to sour life and make it about what's bad rather than what's good for most people. I prefer the light.

As for me I will be glad to see some exposure and have more dialogue. Ignorance is and always has been our greatest enemy.

Johnny

Well put JJ, thank you.

It's like you read my mind and articulate my thoughts so much better than I do myself.

As an aspiring singer myself I often struggle with this, I know I could do good in the world if I could make a name for myself, but being me I will have extra hardships, and that leaves me wondering if I should even try sometimes.

No matter what we need to work against ignorance and try to be positive about ourselves and our community, whether we're fighting ignorance on a more concealed and individual level or we're out and open about it. There will never be any progress towards tolerance, and ultimately acceptance if we don't eradicate the ignorance.

[Guest Donna Jean]

.

Like it says on the bottom of the statue at Farber Collage.....

"Knowledge Is Good!"

Dee Jay

[Guest Maria_B]

I think, one of the more important things to point out, is most people don't even know FtM exists.

Not saying that to be mean, but seriously, a lot of people think it can only be MtF. Having exposure of a FtM is just so beyond fantastic (read: Degrassi Adam) and in a way of its own greatly helps both the MtF and FtM on its own.

I also wonder how many of the referring to Chaz as ''she'' is people thinking he is going MtF? My brother's girlfriend thought that before I explained Chaz's transition to her. Just something to consider.

People use children for all good of non-sense attacks. Just like religion, ethnicity, minority etc. ''I don't want my children to see this because I don't agree with it, therefor they should not either''.

Drea, this is so obviously about ratings its not funny, but really? Whatchyagonnado. Its good to point out to others there is an ulterior motive, but its also important to remind them of the positives too.

It a bit like saying. p1: Heath ledger such a good actor <3 <3 p2: He's dead. -moment ruined-.

[Guest Fey]

I think Chaz is very brave for going on this show and more so for being so open with the media about his transition. Especially knowing that there are so many people who are intolerant of our community.

Alot of this intolerance comes from misinformation and misunderstanding about trans folk.

Ex:

"HUGE HUGE fan of this show since season two and eagerly await each season to get my dancing/entertainment 'fix'!! But when I heard that Chaz Bono was going to be on, I was sick. Not that I have anything personally again her/him, I just don't want that lifestyle choice continually flaunted in the media esp ABC."

People still think this is a 'lifestyle choice' and don't even know what they are talking about. People fear what they don't understand and there is alot of misconceptions and misinformation out there (Jerry Springer anyone?) and it will help our community to get more positive media exposure. The show may be doing this for publicity or it may not, but they are making more people aware that we are everywhere, have many professions, have families, and didn't choose this. I hope I'm right and that this doesn't cause more problems than solutions in the long run.

wishing ya'll the best,

Fey

[Flint]

It's a shame it's Chaz that is in the media spot light to represent the trans community.

[JJ]

You know I always kind of disliked Chaz. For no reason-just a personal reaction from the time he was a small child on his mother's show-but looking at those clips I have to say I am impressed and like him better than I ever have. I think perhaps his confidence and comfort level with himself has changed.

Also I have to admit he has ties and pull probably no other transman in the country has. We need that folks. We need everything we can get.

Johnny

[Flint]

It's just something I read, something that he apparently said, that could reflect on us all. Normally people would just say it reflects that person, but when you're a a group of people who are still judged people jump on something that is said and will put it into their heads that we must all be like that. :-/

[JJ]

I'm sure it will be dug up and quoted all over at some point then.

Time will tell how well he represents us I suppose.

Johnny

[Guest Fey]

That's true......What was it that he said? Kinda funny how people take negative things someone said and see it as representative of a community but they totally ignore all the good things....*smh*