Dancing With The Stars Executive Producer, Cher, And Partner Lacey Schwimmer Defend Chaz Bono
I have never seen so much hatred coming out of some people against Chaz Bono dancing. Yesterday, we reported to you about Cher taking to her twitter account to defend Chaz against all the haters and negativity. Lacey is also defending her partner. Below is what she told The Insider…
“No human is perfect, so why are they pointing out what they perceive to be an imperfection in someone else? It’s not cool. We’re all taught to not bully, or harass, and treat everyone as equals yet all these people are doing exactly the opposite.” Luckily for Lacey and Chaz, the supportive sounds are drowning out the negative noise. “At the end of the day, everyone is going to have a hater. I choose not to listen to it, because it’s ridiculous. To us, it’s more important to focus on the positive people.”
“This is my sixth season — the producers know that I’m very open-minded and really accepting of everyone,” she says. “Ever since Lance [Bass] was on the show, it opened the door for the LGBT community to be accepted in Middle America and it’s about time. It’s 2011, let’s evolve a little bit here.”
You go Lacey!! Be sure to read more of The Insider interview at the link because Lacey talks on how Chaz is doing so far in rehearsals and more.
Conrad Green, the executive producer for Dancing With The Stars, has also come out to defend Chaz today. He stands firmly behind their casting choice.
“Every season we look for new stories and get as much range as possible and an interesting balance of people,” “Dancing with the Stars” executive producer Conrad Green said. “I hope the audience would at least give him [Bono] a chance.”
Conrad also defends the shows decision against OneMillionMoms.com who said the show has “gone too far” and is “exploiting our children”. Please! Are they serious? Who is Chaz hurting and exploiting? If anything he is teaching tolerance and love for everyone no matter who they are. You would think these “Moms” would approve of that and not be against it”? Below is Conrad’s reaction….
OneMillionMoms.com, which says its goal is to “stop the exploitation of our children, especially by the entertainment media,” says Dancing with the Stars has “gone too far” by casting Bono and the openly gay Carson Kressley. The organization is asking people who visit the site to email ABC and “let them know that we will not tolerate” lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues “being forced into our homes.”
Dancing with the Stars executive producer Conrad Green believes the backlash against Bono is premature.
He says, “I would ask those people, who’ve expressed discontent about this, to give Chaz a try. If they still feel the same after, so be it. But have an open mind. You might actually find that you really grow to like Chaz.”
Green also disputes the notion that the show is pushing an LGBT agenda.
He says, “I’ve been accused of having a right-wing agenda when I had Bristol Palin on the show, and we’ve been accused all kinds of agendas in the past and I genuinely don’t think we have one.”
Can you tell I am wound up on this? 😡
Heidi’s Note: I officially predict that the Season 13 opener will be the highest rated DWTS season premiere in a long, long time. Why? Because these people filled with irrational hate and paranoia won’t be able to resist watching that which they disparage. After all, if they don’t watch, they won’t be able to claim it is being “forced into their homes.” At the end of the day, those who claim to be “protecting their children” are really just teaching them hate and intolerance. Two things that most children are NOT born with. Congratulations.
I was raised in a conservative Christian household, and I was taught certain things. But at the same time, I was taught to accept everyone and not to judge or make fun of someone if they were different. Now as an adult, I have many gay friends, one of whom has been my friend since we were children. I don’t judge them. I accept them for who they are and support their choices. If I had children, I would teach them to do the same. Sounds like these “moms” aren’t doing their job of teaching their children to be tolerant and accepting others.
And honestly, how is casting Chaz or Carson “exploiting our children?” Maybe if DWTS had cast someone from “Toddlers and Tiaras,” but neither Chaz nor Carson really have anything to do with the exploitation of children. If these moms don’t want their kids to see them on TV, they need to make sure their kids don’t watch. It’s not the responsibility of Conrad or TPTB to parent everyone’s children.
Okay…stepping off my soapbox now.
Honestly, I did not have much of an opinion when Chaz was cast on DWTS. I was excited about Carson because I think his personality is so fun and have seen him on Bravo. Since the controversey has arisen and seeing how Chaz is handling it, I’m so excited for him to be on this season. He seems like he is really goin for it. Right on Chaz.
As for these intolerant people who are ranting, some of us don’t like the way they live their life. Get off my internet – Pronto. I don’t want your BS forced into my home.
Well said Guys!!
I am so proud to be a regular reader of this site where the commentators (is that the correct word – Heidi, Courtney, John, Vogue and Marianna??) are open-minded and will not accept intolerance and hatred here. The same goes for the regular readers – just a great bunch of people. 🙂
I never understood this ‘pushing an agenda’ issue. People living their lives the way they want to isn’t an agenda! And if everything these groups find in the media is so terrible, by bother having a TV, radio and internet, no one is forcing you or your kids to watch.
On another note, Cher looks good. I wish she were on the show
Kudos to Cher, Chaz and Lacey. Perhaps Chaz’s presence will take the focus OFF intolerance and put the focus on education. As for Carson – I cannot WAIT to see him in action with Anna – they are already one of my favorite couples.
Onemillionmoms.com should be ashamed of their bigotry and hatred. I fear what the children in those homes are learning.
“being forced into our homes”? LMAO!!!!! Who’s forcing these people to turn on the TV and watch DWTS? ABC certainly isn’t! By the way, why wasn’t there such an uproar on this when Lance Bass was on the show or did I miss all the fun?
Those people need to grow up and get over it. Exploiting our children?? Please, children are being molested and abused every day by people who are NOT gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. Studies show that 95% of pedophiles are heterosexual men. They were born men and were still men when they were pedophiles and were always straight. 50% of the time when a child is molested, the offender was under the influence of alcohol. Many child molesters are married. The problem is many people are uneducated and refuse to be educated. They’d rather be hateful than to learn to love everyone, no matter what resources they are given like the one I just pointed out because they lead sorry, pathetic lives. Trust me, there are worse things going on with children today than being “molested by the GLBT community” and I get tired of people who jump to conclusions that a child was molested because the child’s offender was gay, trans or whatever. Sexual abuse is all about violence and control, not sexual fantasies of the abuser. So going back to this with Chaz…. I say kudos to him for doing this and kudos to Lacey, Cher and Conrad for defending him. Chaz has made a whole bunch of decisions in his life… to come out, to be open about it, have a sex-change transition, to speak out and advocate about it. Coming on the dance floor to dance with a lovely woman in front of millions of people is another choice. It’s not our decision to make and we have choices too. If you don’t want to watch anyone from the GLBT community dance, then don’t watch. If you don’t want your children to watch, then put them to bed early or tell them to finish their homework. Although I think it’s important that children understand what this is all about while they’re still young but of course, make it “PG-rated”. What parent would want their kid to grow up as a bigoted monster? They will grow up like that if parents teach their kids that people like Chaz on this planet is wrong. These parents are only teaching their kids that it’s ok to hate and be intolerant. Those parents probably grew up the same way and here they are doing it all over again to their own children then they’ll do it to their children and it keeps going for generations. They’re not doing their children a favor or protecting them by refusing to let them watch DWTS because a transgendered woman is on the show. They’re letting their kids grow up to be bigots and promoting hatred and bigotry. It’s not doing anyone any good. Their children may still be victimized by adults they trust in school or homes with babysitters, someone from the family etc.. Forbidding kids to watch DWTS because of this solves nothing and it can only hurt other people more.
At first I wasnt too keen on the possibility of Chaz on the show. But now reading all the comments and interviews I am delighted that DWTS is bringing awareness to this topic.
We are who we are, We love our children no matter what, and the important thing is to be at peace with yourself. Chaz is finally at peace. Thats all any loving mother would every truly want. We as mothers will defend our children with our lives.. Go get em Cher!!!
All these great celebrities, Chaz, even Nancy and Ron, seem awesome with their partners, this is one of the first years ever that I dont want to see any of them go!
For the record, you know that I’m a huge fan of Kym if you regularly read my posts here on this site so I plan to support her and David. BUT! If she and David are eliminated before Chaz and Lacey are, I’m pushing my votes for Chaz immediately and I don’t care what anyone thinks of that. Yes, it’s a dancing show but it’s a show where people can vote whatever way they want.
Amen!! People are worried about the affect of having Chaz on the show will do to their kids? What about the hate the parents/others are teaching their kids by making these comments about Chaz? Especially when bullying is such a problem right now,
It’s always the small-souled, ugly-minded, hypocritical minority that makes the loudest noise! I sincerely hope that’s the case with the “uproar” over Chaz’s participation on DWTS. BTW – I’m so glad there’s zero tolerance on this site for that kind of behavior.
I hope the vast (and mostly silent) majority, will tune in to Season 13 with (reasonably) open minds and give Chaz just as much respect as they give everyone else on the show.
That said, I applaud Chaz for his bravery. Not just for doing DWTS, but for facing this kind of ugliness day in and day out and still being the upbeat, positive, decent person he seems to be.
While the haters are teaching their kids to hate, I think Chaz will be bringing hope and courage to people (young and old) who are facing prejudice in their own lives.
@Cidra – *clapping hands* Bravo! Well said.
Chaz Bono is very brave to come on DWTS knowing the backlash that he was going to get. What possible harm could this shy young man do to the viewing public. Golden Rule, people, Golden Rule. Treat others as you would want to be treated. Hopefully narrow minds will broaden a bit after this season.
Why God Created Gay People, by Richard R. Blackston
God created gay people, because he knew they wouldn’t over-populate the world; for there would be many men to only love, but never breed.
God created gay people, because he knew for every homeless child, gay parents would adopt, love and provide a safe home for the children to dwell.
God created gay people because he knew that diversity makes room for prosperity!
God knew he had planned well!
Jesus died for the sin of all men, to give man his own free will……….
Man’s free will, corrupted God’s religion and then charged God’s people to pray in his temple……..
And Jesus wept……..
Man committed debaucheries of God’s good book and then corrupted God’s good book’s words with prejudice;
against gay men and stated that all women were third to mankind, for man is king!
And Jesus wept again………..
God cries for the free will of man, as God watches the Son suffer for the cruel, prejudices of man’s torment of the innocent gay people, through the vial of God’s love, by corrupting God’s word!
And Jesus weeps eternally………………………………………..
Richard R. Blackston, My thoughts and Words on onemillionmoms VS Chaz on dance with the starz
Remembering the death of young Larry King, the gay student who was shot in a classroom by Brandon Mclnerne also a student, who had more than likely learned to hate by his parents and the beliefs’ of his parents’, the same kind of bullying beliefs’- now being demonstrated by onemillionmoms.com! Now both parents ‘Larry Kings’ parents’ grieve his death, while the other parents grieve a son Brandon Mclnerney now in prison and he will one day grow up wondering why he did this, and destroyed his life, and freedom! People have you learned nothing from this? The hurt that hate causes! Do you hear me onemillionmoms Shame on you all!
The E.O. Green School shooting was the February 12, 2008, killing of Lawrence “Larry” Fobes King (January 13, 1993 – February 13, 2008) who was a 15-year-old gay student at E.O. Green Junior High School in Oxnard, California, United States. He was shot twice by fellow student, 14-year-old Brandon McInerney, and was kept on life support until he died two days later.
McInerney has been charged as an adult with premeditated murder with enhancements of discharge of a firearm and a hate crime. He is being held in lieu of US$770,000 bail, and faces a minimum sentence of 53 years imprisonment to a maximum life sentence.[1]….
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Newsweek has described the shooting as “the most prominent gay-bias crime since the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard”, bringing attention to issues of gun violence as well as gender expression and sexual identity of teenagers…
[…] shoot as well? Excellent video. If you haven’t done so, read an earlier posting on this issue here as […]
This is the reason that I wasn’t happy to hear about Chaz Bono being on the show—-it takes away from the fun, entertaining dancing!
Sorry bj, but you are the only disgusting one here. That kind of talk isn’t tolerated here. Take it elsewhere.
Heidi
Amen Heidi!! I am so glad people like that are not welcomed here!