Chaz on DWTS

Soft*Silver · 09-05-2011, 01:53 AM

this was a very strategic marketing move. DWTS was slipping in ratings and they had to get someone on that would attract newcomers as well as keep veteran viewers. Being gay isnt enuf nowadays to attract mainstream attention. But trans is. Thats MY take as to why they put him on. Also my opinion, is that this is INCREDIBLE! What a great way to expose the general american public about the trans community? Outside of documentaries, which I believe "the choir" watches (as in, singing to the choir), the American public rarely has an opportunity to just sit back and relax and see someone be "real". And this is Sonny and Cher's kid, for heavens sake. The majority of America grew up watching them on tv, buying their music, and seeing Chaz grow up. This brings it home to them. Chaz is the American public's kid...the nation as a collective whole is getting the chance to process, which in turn should make it easier on the individual level whenever they encounter someone who is transitioning in their personal worlds.

I am so glad this is happening!

princessbelle · 09-05-2011, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by softness

this was a very strategic marketing move. DWTS was slipping in ratings and they had to get someone on that would attract newcomers as well as keep veteran viewers. Being gay isnt enuf nowadays to attract mainstream attention. But trans is. Thats MY take as to why they put him on. Also my opinion, is that this is INCREDIBLE! What a great way to expose the general american public about the trans community? Outside of documentaries, which I believe "the choir" watches (as in, singing to the choir), the American public rarely has an opportunity to just sit back and relax and see someone be "real". And this is Sonny and Cher's kid, for heavens sake. The majority of America grew up watching them on tv, buying their music, and seeing Chaz grow up. This brings it home to them. Chaz is the American public's kid...the nation as a collective whole is getting the chance to process, which in turn should make it easier on the individual level whenever they encounter someone who is transitioning in their personal worlds.

I am so glad this is happening!

Totally agree with this!!!! Chaz may not have it all together and he may not be a totally perfect spokesperson at all, but, he is at least in the position to call attention to "us". I expect at the very least talking in homes, at work, among friends. Exposure is a start. Knowing we are here is a start. I am very happy about this.

IMO most people won't ever acklowledge and or accept and vote for change with us, if they don't see who we really are. I see this as a very good thing. It is an "in" into homes that is hard to come by.

theoddz · 09-05-2011, 07:00 AM

I'm all for Chaz doing this and he's got 150% of my support. He's been very courageous in making his transition directly in front of the public eye. To me, that's ballz!! Doing this gig on DWTS takes even more courage. He's already taking the hits, as evidenced by that idiotic Faux News commentator in the article links posted above.

I'm a big guy, too and even though I don't have Chaz's youth, I also don't have his "star" power, either. Physically, I'm sure it's going to be challenging for him, but psychologically, even moreso. Since he first announced his transition, nearly everything about his life, personal and public, has been under the microscope and up for scrutiny by some of the most rabid homophobes and transphobes around, famous and not-so-famous alike. Chaz standing up and putting himself (and those like us) out there is just downright courageous and admirable in every sense. I, surely, couldn't do that.

Yeah, I'll be watching......and cheering him on!!!

~Theo~

AtLast · 09-05-2011, 07:05 AM

Interesting piece on Cher responding to the early bigoted statements about Chaz appearing on the show-

http://jezebel.com/5836513/cher-lash...acking-her-son

I wish him the best, yet also wonder about his physical fitness for this kind of dance- it ain't easy and takes stamina! Who knows, maybe he is working on his health and weight and will appear later in the season. They all get dance lessons and have workouts. He (pre-transitioning) was also on "The Biggest Loser" some years ago- I appreciate that he gets out there and exposes his vulnerabilities and has in so many ways. Not an easy thing to do- I think it is very different to get out there outside of our familiar and much safer "communities" and say hello.

This will bring many kinds of responses as this show cuts across a lot of populations in viewership. Hopefully, this exposure in a kind of mainstream situation will bring more positive awareness.

Sachita · 09-05-2011, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

Interesting piece on Cher responding to the early bigoted statements about Chaz appearing on the show-

http://jezebel.com/5836513/cher-lash...acking-her-son

I wish him the best, yet also wonder about his physical fitness for this kind of dance- it ain't easy and takes stamina! Who knows, maybe he is working on his health and weight and will appear later in the season. They all get dance lessons and have workouts. He (pre-transitioning) was also on "The Biggest Loser" some years ago- I appreciate that he gets out there and exposes his vulnerabilities and has in so many ways. Not an easy thing to do- I think it is very different to get out there outside of our familiar and much safer "communities" and say hello.

This will bring many kinds of responses as this show cuts across a lot of populations in viewership. Hopefully, this exposure in a kind of mainstream situation will bring more positive awareness.

I think his health will be a huge factor. I hope he is preparing himself and will take this in consideration. Worse case it will be a positive more healthy move for him. Also I agree with exposure but honestly I'm not sure the public is affected by it.

I did happen to finally catch the MTV awards last night and thought Lady Gaga was great in drag. It was an excellent precursor to her "thanks" and addressing the entire gender community.

Ebon · 09-05-2011, 08:10 AM

I think he will do well. He knows that everyone is watching him so hopefully he will make it a point to give it his best shot.

Why are these people so feeble minded? They don't even think they just react with fear and ignorance. I hope people vote for him. I don't like these shows but I may watch it just for support. Now I know how my family felt when they got excited that there was a black person on Jeopardy back in the day.

AtLast · 09-05-2011, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sachita

I think his health will be a huge factor. I hope he is preparing himself and will take this in consideration. Worse case it will be a positive more healthy move for him. Also I agree with exposure but honestly I'm not sure the public is affected by it.

I did happen to finally catch the MTV awards last night and thought Lady Gaga was great in drag. It was an excellent precursor to her "thanks" and addressing the entire gender community.

me, too- on lady gaga!

As someone that has been partner dancing for a few years now, he will find his weight a problem. It is very hard on the knees and people I dance with are always trying to drop weight if they need to in order to help with this wear and tear (literally- miniscus tears are prevalent in dancing with a partner and syncronizing) But, I'm 60 and have 3 kinds of arthritis and have been able to take- instruction with dance coaches that work with people like me and make great progress. But I will never achieve at a high level- but it is about so much more- like having great fun!!! Those "moves" are not easy and if one is a trained lead, there is a lot to master. Dance is an athletic endeavor as well as artful and really good for getting in shape. It also can change one's entire relationship to one's body in very positive ways including body image, confidence, balance and just general endurance.

He can really have a good time with this aside from being on the show and really I love the idea of a transperson taking this on- but I also am hoping he gets what dance can bring to people with self-care. I guess I want this to not just be about media hype or even trans politics- I want there to be a whole lot for Chaz as a person in this.

Funny, DWTS is not something I watch, even as I have enjoyed finding partner dancing (especially queer partner dancing). But, I am going to watch it now- want to help get the "vote" out (like Ebon)! Also, I bet there will be many counter-Tweet situations to bozo bigots.

09-05-2011, 01:53 AM	#1
SoftSilver Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: femme Preferred Pronoun?: she Relationship Status: Married Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: rose cottage Posts: 5,592 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 8,948 Thanked 15,908 Times in 4,062 Posts Rep Power*: 21474857	this was a very strategic marketing move. DWTS was slipping in ratings and they had to get someone on that would attract newcomers as well as keep veteran viewers. Being gay isnt enuf nowadays to attract mainstream attention. But trans is. Thats MY take as to why they put him on. Also my opinion, is that this is INCREDIBLE! What a great way to expose the general american public about the trans community? Outside of documentaries, which I believe "the choir" watches (as in, singing to the choir), the American public rarely has an opportunity to just sit back and relax and see someone be "real". And this is Sonny and Cher's kid, for heavens sake. The majority of America grew up watching them on tv, buying their music, and seeing Chaz grow up. This brings it home to them. Chaz is the American public's kid...the nation as a collective whole is getting the chance to process, which in turn should make it easier on the individual level whenever they encounter someone who is transitioning in their personal worlds. I am so glad this is happening! __________________ Pole bachit, a lis chuye. The field sees, the forest hears

09-05-2011, 07:00 AM	#3
theoddz Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Cranky Old Poop Preferred Pronoun?: Mr. Beast Relationship Status: Married Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,537 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 11,111 Thanked 9,928 Times in 2,508 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	I'm all for Chaz doing this and he's got 150% of my support. He's been very courageous in making his transition directly in front of the public eye. To me, that's ballz!! Doing this gig on DWTS takes even more courage. He's already taking the hits, as evidenced by that idiotic Faux News commentator in the article links posted above. I'm a big guy, too and even though I don't have Chaz's youth, I also don't have his "star" power, either. Physically, I'm sure it's going to be challenging for him, but psychologically, even moreso. Since he first announced his transition, nearly everything about his life, personal and public, has been under the microscope and up for scrutiny by some of the most rabid homophobes and transphobes around, famous and not-so-famous alike. Chaz standing up and putting himself (and those like us) out there is just downright courageous and admirable in every sense. I, surely, couldn't do that. Yeah, I'll be watching......and cheering him on!!! *~Theo~* __________________ *"All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost."* -- J. R. R. Tolkien

09-05-2011, 08:10 AM	#6
Ebon Senior Member How Do You Identify?: With my souls eyes. Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: lol Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Here Posts: 3,476 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 10,524 Thanked 11,142 Times in 2,757 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	I think he will do well. He knows that everyone is watching him so hopefully he will make it a point to give it his best shot. Why are these people so feeble minded? They don't even think they just react with fear and ignorance. I hope people vote for him. I don't like these shows but I may watch it just for support. Now I know how my family felt when they got excited that there was a black person on Jeopardy back in the day. __________________ In Lak'ech Ala K'in I'm a Soul Rebel http://wannabereverend.wordpress.com/ Spirituality is not a belief system or ideology, it is the surrender of one's ego to the infinite wisdom and knowledge that is the universe.

09-05-2011, 07:05 AM	#4
AtLast Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Woman Preferred Pronoun?: HER - SHE Relationship Status: Relating Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: CA & AZ I'm a Snowbird Posts: 5,408 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 11,826 Thanked 10,827 Times in 3,199 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	Interesting piece on Cher responding to the early bigoted statements about Chaz appearing on the show- http://jezebel.com/5836513/cher-lash...acking-her-son I wish him the best, yet also wonder about his physical fitness for this kind of dance- it ain't easy and takes stamina! Who knows, maybe he is working on his health and weight and will appear later in the season. They all get dance lessons and have workouts. He (pre-transitioning) was also on "The Biggest Loser" some years ago- I appreciate that he gets out there and exposes his vulnerabilities and has in so many ways. Not an easy thing to do- I think it is very different to get out there outside of our familiar and much safer "communities" and say hello. This will bring many kinds of responses as this show cuts across a lot of populations in viewership. Hopefully, this exposure in a kind of mainstream situation will bring more positive awareness.