The biggest news in entertainment this week was the controversy over
Chaz Bono, Sonny and Cher's transgender son, being cast in the upcoming season
of Dancing With the Stars. Herndon Graddick, Senior Director of Programs
at GLAAD hailed the move by saying, “At a time
when transgender representation in the media is sorely lacking, Chaz Bono
joining the cast of a series likeDancing With the Stars is a tremendous
step forward for the public to recognize that transgender people are an
important part of the fabric of American culture... Appearing on such a high
profile show will allow millions of Americans to get to know him in a whole new
light.”
Well, apparently some of those Americans don't want to see him or any
trans-person in any kind of light. There was instant flack from conservatives
and the Religious Right, with people like psychiatrist and Fox News contributor
Keith Ablow demanding viewers boycott the show.
These same people, who we're guessing had never been on a LGBT site in their
lives, were suddenly on Gay.net, The Advocate, Out.com, and SheWired leaving
angry comments about why he should not be
on the show. TheReuters news agency even covered the
anti-trans remarks posted on the DWTS message boards: