Just days after the official cast for the new season of ABC’s Dancing With The Stars was announced, the network has been flooded with transphobic and homophobic complaints for including transgender celebrity, Chaz Bono.
Out of a celebrity cast that boasts Ricki Lake, Ron Artest, Kristin Cavallari, David Arquette, out former Queer Eye star Carson Kressley, and Nancy Grace, most of the comments on ABC’s message boards were about Bono, the only child of Cher and Sonny Bono, who underwent surgery and legally changed his gender and name last year. And the comments are revealing an ugly prejudice in the large fan base of the hit show.
Reuters cites examples like these from the DWTS message boards:
"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," went one typical anti-Bono comment.
"Chaz Bono How low can this show sink. Well you have certainly addressed the gay commuity. Guess this will not be a family show any longer!!!! Lost my family!"
"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. If you want the 'anything goes' hippy culture, then soon that is all you will get. You've lost us. In case any of you are wondering ... no, we are NOT tolerant. We are not tolerant to allow any and all influences to come unfiltered into our home and especially to our children. This is truly a sad farewell."
"Chaz will have to dance with one of the girls because she/he says she/he is a man but chromesomes [sic] say different no matter how many surgeries you have."
Media critics are wondering what a public vote for Bono as a contestant on DWTS will reveal about people’s attitudes towards the LGBT community.
In the past, the ABC celebrity ballroom dancing show has included Lance Bass and Margaret Cho, who are both proud members of the LGBT community, and Bristol Palin.
An ABC spokesman said Bono, 42, was in rehearsals for the show and unavailable to comment. The network, meanwhile, had no comment Tuesday on the comments posted by fans on its message board, according to Reuters.
CHAZ
Chaz, Your smile looks much bigger and for the first time you look content with who you are and your life. Thank you for being brave. As we all know it's not easy, but we know that now you have made a simple statement along with your sisters and brothers before you. Maya Anglo once wrote: When you know better, you do better. Thank you my brother!
DWTS
DWTS is just showing us people learning to do something somewhat new to them and the struggle it takes people of all ages. Dancing is hard and tough on the body. Stereo types are broken when young people try old dance styles and dance syles of different cultures. All of the people on the show are personalities and this show changes some of their lives. It broadens them and we get to know them better. We got to see hearing impaired people dance. This took down some barriers for everybodyChaz just adds a new element to this show. Transgender people are just people and want to be treated as such. Chaz is a male and wants to be treated as a male. Most of will not have to deal with Chaz in our daily lives and it doesn't harm us to respect his wishes. As a transgender female, I just want to be treated as a stay at home female and am not expecting the world to bend over backwards for me. For most people I am just an other leaf in the wind. I just want to be respected and left alone. Chaz has made it perfectly clear who he is and is not hiding it from anyone, If you don't want him in your life stay out of his. On television is just one set of dancing photons just like everybody else. Let photons be photons and pay no heed.If you don't like it get lost in a space warp.
egotistical arrogance
It amazes me, to the point of boredom, that those who are unaccepting of people who they perceive as different talk about God or Jesus who only exist in their minds - not in their hearts. Chaz is an actual human being who exist, yet, he is objected to for being who he is and those who object for religious reasons can't prove that their god exist. And they don't prove that a loving God exist by their actions and words. Some people just fear truth. Like it or not, people should have a right to be who they are as long as it doesn't infringe on someone else. Some people have taken the concept of God and Jesus and altered it to try to use it to backup their hatred of anything they perceive as different. Just because some don't approve or accept that not everyone is their perceived idea of a perfect heterosexual is worth what? It is worth nothing to me. It just proves that some who try to act like they believe in God and Jesus only accept God and Jesus if they can use them to be weapons against those they hate or don't approve of.And why is not being a perfect heterosexual a mistake in nature? How boring would this world be if the only colors were the primariy ones and people were just females who got with males, etc. The primary colors are mixed to make new colors so why would living creatures, human and animal, be so boring as to all being the same? HA! Until humans evolve to be just entities without human form then we work with what we have and alter what needs changing to make ourselves feel better - not to please others. Some people dye their hair or get fake hair, get nose and boob jobs, lose weight, to make themselves feel better. So why is making the body fit the mind seen as different?How egotistical for some humans to think they should have that kind of say so over others. If you don't want to see what is on tv then do as I do - turn the channel or turn it off.http://saltyspoetictales-salty.blogspot.com
Chaz on DWTS
I've never watched this show, but my kids and I will now to make up for one of the narrow-minded families that the show "lost". There are some nasty and mean spirited people in this world. Do you not understand that he didn't choose this, that he didn't on a whim decide to go from a female to a male? He didn't choose to have hate directed at him. Sometimes nature makes mistakes...nature put girl parts on a boy. He's just turning everything back to right for himself.
Won't watch
Another household that will no longer watch DWTS.
amen
amen
Just saying...
The only real concern should be can he dance?
Just saying...
Ab so lute ly! LOL :)
u know...
Funny how greys anatomy no one complains about an I'm sure lots of these ppl complain on here watch that an they have lesbians... an brothers an sisters... oh an ellen... an all my children.... the same ppl complain bout chaz I bet watch at least one of those shows as well this is not the first time a lgbt person or scene has been on abc... everyone is jus so quick to hate... an if u remember right lance bass n margerat cho were on dancin an ppl watched an lance bass was a member of a highly public boy band that kids LOVED! This show is about DANCIN! Not bout what sex u are or who u sleep with at nite! And I agree with u as well linda s! An well said dwts fan an chip d. Catherine stearns an dawnmishel I will be watchin right along with u guys!
wow
I have read everyones comments an I am truly upset an sickened. Ppl really complainin bout their kids watchin it because they don't want to have to explain to their kids I seriously doubt kids pay that close attention or even really know who half the ppl on the show are. An I'm sure the show is goin to do it tastefully an it be dwts an not documentery on her sex change! You ppl are makin a fuss about nothin! This was a choice she made! An because of who her parents are of course its thrown into public eye for ppl to be vultures about I'm sure it is a very personal an private thing. So what she turned into a man! If this was ur sister or child or mother would u still be bashin it? Kirbo, kim, jzcool42, michael ignorance runs rampet well said!! U are right michael...standinupinahammock whatever u know nothin it not things that are observed or whatever that's like sayin guns kill ppl. Ppl kill ppl. Ppl teach ppl bad an hate an beat into kids minds they have to be who the parents want that's why there's so many unhappy ppl an kids with eattin disorders an problems today. Ur right there's lot of sick demented ppl in the world today like rapists an murderers an child molesters ppl far worse then ppl who change their sex or choose to live how u think is wrong! Well said angeltoni an kylienz! At least some ppl have common sense! This world has far to much hate an close minded ppl an not enough open mindedness an love an more closed mouths! If u have nothin nice to say don't say anythin at all!
what did you just type?
It's not about hate... wow... you need to understand what you read before you reply.. also proof-read what you wrote! It's also not a fuss... I could care less what IT does with IT'S life. If you have what you think is a so-called "disorder" keep it to yourself and/or your own family and/or doctor, don't put it on parade for the world to see... if this isn't a Hollywood stunt I don't know what is! Our children need positive influence and role models. Using the phrase "open-mindness" is an invitation for sickness and evil. It's just a phrase that makes it "ok" in your own mind to do something you know is wrong. God help us all!
amen, finally people who seem
amen, finally people who seem to cherish good family values, childrens developing minds and God
Your really going to stand
Your really going to stand behind god???????I feel sorry for your kids if you have any. Promoting hate is deplorable!!
As Dan Patrick said the list
As Dan Patrick said the list of DWTS looks more like a list of who didn't make it. Won't watch this season not because of Chaz just a real low reach for talent this year, sincerly,Rotten Ray
Chaz on DWTS
I cannot imagine the emotional/physical pain that Chaz has dealt with all of his life. You don't go through re-assignment surgery on a whim. Why can't people believe that there are human beings born trapped in the wrong gender? Do you think someone who is extremely masculine or feminine has chosen that? I think part of the problem is that people cannot believe that cute little Chasity from the "Sonny & Cher Show" has grown up and has finally reached a happy place as a man. What guts to face the bigots and zealots!
Holy smokes people, grow up!
Holy smokes people, grow up! Does anyone judge you for what you do and if they did and treated you like a piece of garbage, how would you like it?? You are still talking about a HUMAN BEING. It doesn't mean ABC chose him to promote, support LGBT community, it means they have respect for HUMAN BEINGS and do not discriminate against them because of their decisions (which are not illegal and should not concern you).
AMEN
I agree with your reply. It should not matter what a persons personal preferance is to do something in life. As far as Chaz is concerned, I believe that they picked him to DANCE. Not to flaunt his gender transformation all over the world. It is one person who is narrow-minded and cannot handel life on lifes terms. Homophobia is a disease. Look it up people and get help. And just to let you all know, the show is still going to go on and it will make people that much more interested in watching this. Have you ever thought that you are giving Chaz an awesome reputation casue he will just prove every last one of the narrow-minded individuals wrong.
Dancing With The Famous'es Relatives
Personally, I think Chasity will do quite well on the show and I wish her the best of luck. Hey Chastity...You Go, Girl!!
HIS name is CHAZ
HIS name is CHAZ
Ignorance runs rampant
I have to wonder if all of these hateful comments are coming from viewers in the Bible Belt of these great country, touted for it's freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom to be who you are. Because from what I've seen, these people who are so worried about others and their behavior, are usually having affairs, are alcoholics or have drug problems, their daughters are pregnant at 16 and they don't see any of this as adverse behavior? But a gay man or women is an abomination to the world, that is until their son or daughter comes out and it's in their back yard and they now have to deal with it.
Grow up America! (well some of it.) It's 2011!
hateful?
It is not a "hateful" comment. It is the truth. It is a disease, just like alchoholism and drug abuse. The word "freedom" goes too far. There is too much "freedom" in this country, hence all the problems this so-called "freedom" has brought. You can always have too much of a good thing, right?
it is a disease!
What SHE did to herself is a disease. She is still a woman, check her DNA. If Jesus were to knock on her door, what response do you think she would have??? "I don't like what God gave me, so I altered my gift on my own". The world is loaded with sick and dimented people. Then you have parents who say "oh, thats ok, its your body". This is what our society is breeding. The illness of Hollywood and fame that people can't deal with, so they use their new found fortune to dismember themselves or fill their bodies with alchohol and drugs. Just great... what a mess our world is.
Transgender is not a sickness it is a state of being.
Whether we are transgender girls or transgender boys or gay or hetero or lesbian or bi we are what we are and we have to learn how to live with it. We all have a right to be and none of this was a choice for any of us. It just that some heteros think they rule the world and with a iron fist. The problem is that the heteros want all the freedom in the world and want the rest of us to hid in some little box. It ain't happenin any more. Chaz doesn't have a disease, you do and your disease is called hate disorder. You hate what you don't understand and can't accept. But God created all of us and we have as much right to live as the heteros do. There is a whole world of hetero sex outside of marriage and splashed throughout the entertainment world. All us non heteros want is the same freedom to exist as the heteros do and in the same open and honest manner. Each of us has to deal with God and his judgement personally and we don't need you butting into it. If God doesn't like how I live, I am sure God can deal with it, and I, just like you, have to live with God's decisions. But that is between God and me, so little hetero butt out.
DWTS CHAZ BONO
I think you a should all grow up for the ones that have children are you dumb enough to think your kids are going to ask if its a boy or girl dancing get a grip on life.
She is a girl, always will be...
This isn't something you're born with, it is something that is learned or observed. A person doesn't just wake up one day and decide to change their gender. They have seen some things they shouldn't have seen or have been around the wrong crowd and pointed in that direction. If the person had better supervision, guidance or parenting, things like this could be avoided. Society just keeps looking the other way as our children do all of this experimentation to themselves. She needs some REAL help... underneath that fake exterior beats the heart of girl. This proves that all of the fame and fortune in the world doesn't make you happy if you don't have the intellegence to handle it.
Our gender identification is not a choice.
Let me tell you standingupinahammock if being a T-Girl was a choice or an act of rebellion there are a lot more ways to rebel or life style for a male to chose than being female. The fact is that no true male would ever choose to be a female. No true male would ever even think that they were a female. Wouldn't happen no way. Especially when I grew up. I discovered by trying to live out my life that I was a female in a male's body. I struggled with it. I had no crowd to run with in the small rule state I grew up in. The fact was my life didn't work as a male, I tried, but I just did not think or feel like a male. You really don't know what you are talking about. If you listen to Chaz tell his story life worked the same way for him. He tried living like a girl, and for Chaz is he was a girl, life would have been so much easier. NO one wants to not be hetero, Chaz wanted to be a girl, but she was attracted to girls. Chaz tried to accept she was a lesbian, but that didn't work out because Chaz discovered that he was male. You don't know how hard it is to cross that gender border and become who you really are. Its the Berlin Wall times 1,000.000. But you discover you have to to live, You need to get out of your cave and discover real life. Transgender is not a sickness its a dislocation. All disorders are not sicknesses, some are dislocations, a male in a female body, or a female in a male body is a dislocation. We have just as much right to change our bodies to correct our dislocation as anybody else does. People use surgery to change their bodies for lots of reasons. Some have inflamed appendixes, some need bi pass heart surgery, some fix their noses, some get tatoos, some have piercings. Gender surgery just makes us who we are, if we can afford it.Lots of people are born with bodies that need fixing. Are you saying that no one can fix their body for any reason? If you get past your prejudice, gender surgery is no different.
Just who the hell are you?Â
Just who the hell are you? Michelle Bachmann? Sarah Palin? Contrary to your belief, people with gender dysphoria (yes, a legitimate classification) ARE born that way just as are heterosexuals and homosexuals and bisexuals. Who in their right mind would CHOOSE to be subjected to blatant discrimination and physical and psychological assault?? because of who they are and how they were born? Do you realize that most of the male dancers on DWTS are gay? Your logic is illogical. Before you comment, get your head out of the radical right Republican, Southern Baptist bible and their mentality and start thinking for yourself. Can't wait until one of those precious children of yours turns out to be gay or transgendered. Can't wait to see one of those children suffer immesureably due to your bigotry and religious zealotry. I only hope to GOD that one of them doesn't decide to commit suicide to escape you and your ilk like so many of our GLBT community have done.
amen, bless you for being
amen, bless you for being honest, telling it like it is and caring enough about children to not confuse them as they go to bed wondering if they should change gender........thats sick......
a better type of conversation
Hi standingupinahammock, While I admire your convictions regarding the issues presented by Chaz, I must remind you that you are speaking entirely out of ignorance. Do some research regarding gender identity disorder as a condition and then come back and post. Most likely, there will be much more understanding and compassion. Sincerely, the therapist
nice try but ...
You just proved my point. Thank you : P
If I walk up to it
If I walk up to it and sock it in the face really hard, is it going to fight me back or act like a girl? Reminds me off the woman peter griffin puched in family guy.If he/she/it was sentenced to prison which facility would he/she/it go to, women or mens?Would it be sentenced like a man or a woman? (Men getting punished worse then women for the same crime).
You are an idiot!
Chaz paid HIS dues! HE is a man and therefore HE deserves to be treated as such. Your opinion of HIM is not in any way anything HE would care about. Why would you even question what HE would do if you "socked it in the face"..... I repeat, you are an idiot!
Opinions are not bigotry
I myself watch DWTS every season. I hold a Bachelors Degree in Psychology, my youngest son is serving in the US Air Force, and I go to church every Sunday. I'm really tired of being told I'm a bigot because I have a different opinion. Chaz Bono is a women. She did not change her DNA. I'm sure we can all recall Y and X chromosomes from grade school. She has a vagina. I'd really like to know who signed legislature that said a women can remove her boobs and take hormone shots for the rest of her life and NOW that makes her a man? Many women have to have their breasts removed and that doesn't make them a man. I prefer to not have to "explain" to my children about transgender issues when I'm watching something that is supposed to be entertaining to the whole family. Bad move ABC!
glad I dont go to you for
glad I dont go to you for therapy. bachlors degree, what a joke!!!. you know nothing about the human brain....another self rightous jerk !!! I am a 65 year old grandmother and great grandmother. I am not gay so I dont have a personal agenda. I do know that live and let live, respecting other human beings and loving your neighbor are in the bible. idiot !!!
You go grandma!!!
You go grandma!!!
My 93 Year-Old Mom
Feels the same way as "grandma".Sincerely, out and proud male to female.
Yet another idiot you are!!
HE has a penis now.... HE wanted to be a man and now HE is. Did you pay for the surgery? Do you walk in his shoes? I didn't think so! Just because you have a degree in Psychology doesn't make you smart (obviously) and neither does going to church on Sundays. Why not explain to your kids that HE was unhappy and HE did something about it! It isn't your business! It is people like you that give good people a bad name... yes honey, you ARE a bigot! Typical church goer!
wow...
You have alot to learn...
She isn't a man and she
She isn't a man and she doesn't have a penis just an oversized clitoris. And your comment about churchgoers shows you to be not only a bigot but a hypocrite as well. Before you call someone an idiot, look in the mirror.
Screw you.
Screw you.
CHAZ...DANCING
I don't agree with what Chaz has done to herself. I agree that these individuals are confused and tormented by their biological bodies. I consider myself a "tomboy", a little more masculine than my female friends and a little more feminine than my male friends. Whacking off my breast and taking false hormones only makes me a breastless, male hormone ridden female. But that is my opinion. I think it is kind of "freakish" and only comes down to two women dancing together. Maybe you are a great person Chaz and I honestly wish you some peace and happiness. As for me, no, I will not ban the show, I wil choose to simply turn TV off. Good luck Chaz ....
You're obviously not
You're obviously not transgender and therefore cannot put yourself in that place.
Opinions are simply opions
A bigot is a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices, especially one exhibiting intolerance, and animosity toward those of differing beliefs.Thats why you are called a bigot.I doubt it means anything to Chaz Bono what we think defines him as a man or a woman. X and Y chromosomes, breasts etc etc its all irrrlevant when you feel differently on the inside. Chaz is who he is, and at the end of the day it is HIS choice what gender he chooses to identify as. Does it hurt you that Chaz trasitioned? Does it make an ioata of difference to your life? Other than you having to "explain" to your child that not all of us are cut from the same mould. I feel proud of Chaz as a human being that he is actually is true to himself when so many people live in misery and denial about who they really are. Maunly because they are afraid of bigotry and being hated for being "different". Be real about it, anyone who chooses to be trangender, homosexual, Cathloic, Muslim or tattooed, does it really matter if it doesn't affect you directly in a negative way? Sometimes I think people just like to put other down. If you don't like it then don't watch it. We have come along way from being the hateful people we once were but its comments and attitudes like this that remind me just how far we have to go.
I agree with you ...
I agree with you ...
Chaz DWTS
Why all the upset, folks? This show started out pretty entertaining but now it's a wheazy, hoary thing. Like something you drag up out of you grandmother's basement.Why all the upset folks, over Chaz Bono's participation in a show that already is waning? A waning shown cleary in the publics interests and, ergo, the ratings.Let him dance.We should all dance. You folks are berating Chaz even before you've met him. He certainly wouldn't do the same to you.It's. A. TV. Show.
Why?
Why are people so hate-full? They must be so unhappy.
chas bono
most of us don't understand the biological changes an embryo goes through before maturity.we take for granted that the baby will have five fingers and toes, two eyes, a brain etc, but more often than we know, the process goes haywire and we get babies with no arms, legs, fingers, missing organs,so incorrect gender has been addressed by different methods over the years. it is not the person's fault, so dump your hate, and try some sympathy.peter.
Offended Myself
I'm offended myself by the hate from the right wing conservatives. Chaz is not a threat to your home or to society! Let him have fun and dance if he wants to. If you don't want to watch, don't. But stop throwing your hate and bigotry in our faces. I personally don't want my children exposed to the kind of hate and intolerance you exhibit. I would rather my children be exposed to love and tolerance for fellow human beings. Looking forward to watching DWTS and supporting Chaz! He is probably a nice guy. Leave him alone and keep your hatred in your own living rooms and off the comment sections of blogs. Better yet, spend a little more time in church. Maybe you will learn God doesn't hate!
Linda S.
I myself tend to be conservative. The fact that you automatically go after a certain segment of people ( right wing conservatives) is more troubling than Chaz being on the show. Chaz being on the DWTS to me is not a negative. It may generate a different segment of the population and some curiousity.I am sorry to say Linda S. that all people, no matter their politics, relegion, or sexual preference may not like Chaz on the show. Chaz, like yourself, does not biother me, for being on the show.The fact that you, Linda S., must put a tag on someone's comment, as worst than some of the e-mails. Pointing fingers at someone because of what they say, look, or feel is just as damaging.As a side note my daughter is gay and all her friends be it male or female are always welcome in my home. They would make better company than you. See ya!!!
Chazmainia
ABC In your attempt to force your left leaning political correctness agenda onto the public you've lost it!!! At least you've lost me. Across the board, ABC is forever more, OFF on our TV.
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