Chaz on DWTS

[Write14u]

I'm curious about reaction from the community on Chaz Bono's upcoming appearance on Dancing With The Stars.

I'd love to hear opinions on anything, but the thing I'm most curious about is what the queer community thinks about in terms of awareness.

**Will this be a positive thing for the trans community?
**Will it bring positive awareness or be dissected by the media/general population and catologued under "freak". (No disrespect intended there. Just speaking in terms of how JQ Public often views queer)
**Is the awareness raised good regardless of people's general perception?


As for my views, I think it's pretty cool, even though I'm not a huge fan of the show and only watch it randomly. I just wonder what kind of reaction it will get.

Thanks!

[iamkeri1]

Exposure is good in itself.

Exposure in the media of the full spectrum of gay folk has been instrumental in reforming the opinion of the public regarding gay people. People love Ellen, they love Rachel Maddow, they love "Queer Eye", therefore they give other gay people a chance.

If Chaz dances well and/or behaves well, he will change peoples minds about trans folk. Peoples opinion of him will transfer at least in part to their feelings about others that they perceive to be like him. If they like Chaz, they will give other trans folk a chance.

In general, people don't have a lot of exposure to trans folk, so it they see one it helps form or re-form their opinions about the group in general. The more they see, the more "particular" their opinion becomes. I like THAT trans person, but THAT one is an asshole. Sounds pretty much like they judge all people doesn't it? That's what we want, to be judged like other people, so the more exposure the better.

Personally I think he is a handsome young man, not too mature in his new "self" yet as could be expected in one so newly transitioned. I rarely watch DWTS, but his being there may raise my interest level enough to watch it this season. I wish him well.
Smooches,
Keri

[Tawse]

Hmmm I've been thinking about this since I first heard the rumour...

I haven't watched the show but here are my thoughts:

If it's population vote off - he will most likely be the first one voted off strictly because the general public just doesn't get it - and right now they don't wanna get it... UNLESS more people hate Nancy Grace - that may be a close one. Of course he may have the entire LGBTQI voting base - so that may help quite a bit as well...

If it's by talent - well he's a bigger boy.. how hard are the first dances? How well have bigger guys / girls fared in the past? And if he is honestly the worst dancer - is the LGBTQI community willing to accept that - or will we be up in arms regardless?

Several thoughts - but I will say that this is the closest I've come to watching DWTS - so if their aim is to increase viewership than they are dead on.

I am humoured however that there are articles out there saying "Chaz Bono to Dance with WOMEN on DWTS"... so many more miles to go

[Write14u]

[quote=iamkeri1;408728]Exposure is good in itself.

Exposure in the media of the full spectrum of gay folk has been instrumental in reforming the opinion of the public regarding gay people. People love Ellen, they love Rachel Maddow, they love "Queer Eye", therefore they give other gay people a chance.

That's a good point. I've always been of the notion that people aren't as quick to hate someone they "know" whether it's their son/daughter/other relative or someone they like on TV. I tend to think the exposure is really good in the long run, although in the short term, it could just be mocked.

Originally Posted by Tawse

I am humoured however that there are articles out there saying "Chaz Bono to Dance with WOMEN on DWTS"... so many more miles to go

Agreed. All the speculation centered on who he'd be partnered with. When I first heard it, my reaction was, "Of course he'll be with a woman."

As for the format, I haven't watch it enough to know, but I think it's a combination of judging/voting.

[Just_G]

Everyone votes the way they do for their own reasons. I didn't vote for Bristol, no matter how well she did because I do not like her mother.

Some people might not vote for him because they don't like Cher and it will have nothing to do with the trans thing.

Hopefully the story they back him up with will be put together well and people will see him as just another dancer on the show. I bet some people don't even have a clue who he is! The ones that do, will see him as in inspiration...and if he makes a difference in one person's life after being on the show, then it was awesome that he was on there!

I don't think he will last long because those dances get pretty complicated and I think he is out of shape for that type of dancing....I am hoping I am wrong though.

I will be pulling for him; I think it is pretty damn cool that they asked him to be on the show!

[Greyson]

Originally Posted by Just_G

Everyone votes the way they do for their own reasons. I didn't vote for Bristol, no matter how well she did because I do not like her mother.

Some people might not vote for him because they don't like Cher and it will have nothing to do with the trans thing.

Hopefully the story they back him up with will be put together well and people will see him as just another dancer on the show. I bet some people don't even have a clue who he is! The ones that do, will see him as in inspiration...and if he makes a difference in one person's life after being on the show, then it was awesome that he was on there!

I don't think he will last long because those dances get pretty complicated and I think he is out of shape for that type of dancing....I am hoping I am wrong though.

I will be pulling for him; I think it is pretty damn cool that they asked him to be on the show!

Thanks G. I too am wondering about his physical ability. I am a big guy too. I go up and down and I know how much carrying the extra weight and aging can take out of a person.

I like some others think that having a transman come into their homes via TV on a weekly schedule may help change the opinions of some. I was not 100% thrilled with everything Chaz said or did in his documentary. People are humans, even celebrities. I like to think all humans can change, be teachable.

For my own personal stuff, I am looking forward to seeing what Chaz wears. I really like some of the suits I have seen him wearing. I think Chaz is a handsome guy. I would like to think I am handsome too, with the help of some fashion tips.

[Soft*Silver]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.