Chaz Bono will be the first transgender celebrity contestant on the ABC reality TV program, Dancing With The Stars . But dont think for one second this is coincidence. As a person actively involved in the transgender community, Chaz Bono hopes to educate America on what it means to be a transgender person, break stereotypes and hopefully bring to light awareness for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) community as a whole. His mother, singer and actress Cher vehemently defended her son Bono who is a female to male transgender man. Via the social media site, Twitter, she sent out messages stating bigots have no right to speak negatively about her son.
Chaz Bono with partner Lacey Schwimmer and mom Cher (Photo Gallery)
Singer and actress Cher used her verified Twitter account to actively defend her son, Chaz Bono, a female to male transgender man, when the media spoke against him being a contestant on Dancing With The Stars, a reality TV program in which celebrities compete in dance competitions for charity. As a mother, Cher felt it her duty to defend her son against the character aspersions and criticisms being spewed by the media and fans of Dancing With The Stars (DWTS). Many parents are claiming DWTS will no longer be a family show since sexuality will be the highlight of the show if Chaz is a contestant. How does Chaz feel about everything? He commented to ABC News :
"It's made me realize I'm really glad I'm doing this, because America really needs to see this,"
"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,"
"And there's so many just completely inaccurate stereotypes and thoughts that people have."
Chaz Bono: Dancing With The Stars for transgender community
It appears Chaz Bonos goal as a contestant on Dancing With The Stars will not only be to win for his charity but to take on societal stereotypes surrounding the transgender community and break them down one stereotype at a time. How do you feel about Chaz Bono dancing with Lacey Schwimmer? Do you think the audience will be so focused on his status as a transgender person they will not be able to really focus on the dancing? Dancing With The Stars season 13 is set to premiere on September 19th on ABC. Will you be tuning in? Have thoughts on this article you'd like to share? Leave a comment below or connect via Twitter or Facebook !
