'Dancing With the Stars' Contestant Chaz Bono Speaks Out Against Critics

[Hepburn]

Since ABC’s official announcement that the transgender star was part of the Season 13 cast, the network's message board has been flooded with angry complaints. Meanwhile, conservative parents groups and media organizations have called for a boycott of the show.

OneMillionMoms.com, for example, wrote on its website that the casting of Bono "is completely unacceptable and Christians should not watch the show, no excuses!"

But Bono said the backlash has reinforced his belief that he's doing the right thing.

<Chaz says...>

"You know, it just kind of shows why for me it's important to be on the show, because so little still is known about what it means to be transgender," he said. "And there's so many just completely inaccurate stereotypes and thoughts that people have."

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dancing-stars-contestant-chaz-bono-231131

Dearest Chaz:

I had a very, very hard decision to make about watching DWTS this season. I want you to know that YOU were the deciding factor in this decision. But for you being on the show, there is no way in hell I would have watched this new season and this is because that POS Nancy Grace is one of this season's celebrity dancers.

Best wishes and I hope you are the winner!

Love,

Hepburn :hi:

[begin_within]

1. Hey "Christians"... a man called Jesus of Nazareth said, "Love your neighbor as yourself," and

"Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me."

[Initech]

2. The groups protesting Chaz need to get a fucking life.

[AngryOldDem]

8. Or at least a remote control. n/t

[Hepburn]

9. Amen...

...if they don't like the show, then don't watch.

I know I don't turn on Nancy Grace...and will most likely channel surf DWTS when she is on...but that is my personal choice because I personally dislike her because of her conduct.

[Initech]

18. No they need to get a life.

There's a lot of shows I don't like but I don't give a shit if someone watches them or not. Guaranteed though every single fucking time this happens, these so-called POS Family groups are the first ones to say horseshit. It's sickening. They really do need a life.

[supernova]

3. I feel the same way

I haven't had one iota of interest in DWTS before, but for Chaz, I will watch. I feel like we grew up together. Him on TV with his parent and me at home, but still, one of the first children I remember seeing on TV.

As an aside, I like watching dance. I was always interested in the ballroom dancing competitions that public TV shows.

[Hepburn]

5. I will definitely watch.

I hope Chaz does well!

[Hepburn]

4. I don't get the Tea-vangelical backlash.

:shrug:

Chaz is a straight guy with a female love interest and partner.

He just happened to be born in the wrong body and made the change to the right body for him. Soooooo...he is in a hetero relationship.

What is the problem now???

[supernova]

6. He didn't stick with the script God have him!

:D

You're not supposed to do that in fundie land apparently.

[Hepburn]

7. Oh, I see...

...so if a Fundie gets cancer that can be cured, he/she should stick with the script that God dished out, right?

:shrug:

IMO, if an operation can fix cancer, then there is no difference if an operation can cure gender mis-assignment.

[supernova]

13. I'm not saying it makes sense

:D

[Hepburn]

15. No, it doesn't and...

...I did not take your post that way. :hi:

[MrScorpio]

10. Chaz's detractors are fond of saying that "God doesn't make mistakes"… Which is actually true...

Our fellow gay, lesbian, bi and transgendered brothers and sisters are all part of God's master plan. They are all among us because it's perfectly natural to be here.

Too bad the bigots don't accept that simple fact.

[Hepburn]

12. +1,000...n/t

[Nuclear Unicorn]

11. He shouldn't even dignify them with a response

Dance and be happy will be answer enough

[RockaFowler]

14. These same Christians were OK with Bristol, though

THe double-standard is alarming. It's OK to flaunt the fact that you had pre-marital sex and <gasp> had a child out of wedlock. But a woman who felt like a man all along is bad?? I don't get these so called Christians.

I was thinking about this the other night. ABC was showing a special about Transgendered children. And how the parents were so helpful with their children's lives. I think back 20-25 years ago when I was in high school and there were kids who tried to commit suicide or who did. Some of these kids may have had identity issues but were too scared to tell anyone - especially boys. In our society it's OK if a little girl is a tomboy, but it's not OK for a little boy to want to dress up in little girl's clothing. Maybe we should have more parents liek the ones in the special I saw. They at least wanted to help their children - the best way they knew how.

I'm a faithful watcher of DWTS but I almost gave it up because of Bristol (who had no right to even be on the show - especially as long as she was on there). Bristol at the time was only famouse because of her nitwit mother (now of course she's famous for her book, her failed relationship, her DWTS failure on and on). Chaz has been in the spotlight since he was a little girl. He grew up right before our eyes.

[Hepburn]

17. The Bristol thing disgusted me.

And that is because of the gangbang voting for her because of who she was and not because she was a good dancer. When she beat out Brandy, it was obvious what was going on.

BTW: Great post about what it used to be like. What I remember so much is that it was OK for a girl to be a "Tom Boy" and do all the guy things and have short hair, etc. But as feminine guy? Treated like he was poison. It has got to be so hard to be trapped in the wrong body. I was thinking about this the other day. I am very, very female and what if I was in a male body? I would have to get out of it. So I can readily see why either the change is made or those who are trapped, end their lives.

[Booster]

16. I fully support Chaz's decision to be on this show and will watch

and vote for him if he deserves my vote. I'm also very proud of Cher. She apparently wasn't the greatest mother that ever lived, but she has stepped up to the plate this time and I applaud her for that. I just hope Chaz has fun and shows the haters that he is just as normal as they are. You go, Chaz.

[Initech]

19. I'm actually more inclined to watch DTWS now when I never would have before.