AWE :: Okay by the time you read this the glitter dust will have settled and the Mirrorball Trophy will be awarded but as I write this, I am watching the finale of Dancing With The Stars season 13. Here’s what I think: Ricki Lake’s career is about to take off! Never has anyone transformed more beautifully than she has. And I’m not just talking about her new gorgeous figure. Sure she’s lost weight. Everyone does on that show (except for Bristol Palin. Just saying.) But she is executing Derek Hough’s fantastic choreography like a pro. Seriously, if they were doing a dance film and asked any other actress in Hollywood to dance the way Ricki has been, they’d have used a double! Even if Rob Kardashian surprises us all and wins (Ricki’d be robbed!), Ricki has reintroduced herself to an adoring public as a confident, sexy woman with cheekbones to die for!

From one Ricki to another, I love ya mamma! xox

DUDE4DUDE :: I have a huge problem with the fact that people are giving Chaz Bono such a hard time on Dancing With The Stars. I wanted to write this post before the show started, but I thought I would see how he dances before I let loose.

Philip Tetro’s Madonna Watch

Besides that fact that I have such a kindred connection with Chaz’s mother, Cher, I have followed Chaz’s transition from female to male since the beginning. I have seen his documentary, Becoming Chaz, and I have such a soft-spot in my heart for him (and, no, not just because we could be brothers. And, no, not because I am going to be him for Halloween this year). It has been a long, torturous ride for this son of a bitch (I use “bitch” in the most loving terms). He is the face of Transgendered America – one of the most confusing, taboo sexual identities of the 21^st Century. As if being gay isn’t hard enough, Chaz has proved that it’s even harder when you can’t even connect with your own gender. It’s two completely different things, yes, but my gay brethren can relate to growing up being and feeling different than the rest of the hetero world. It’s the same feeling. We’re all different. So let’s show him some fucking compassion. He is the Rosa Parks of the huge transgender population of the world, and watching it all unfold with all this backlash is terrifying. We’re not called LGBTLMNOPQRS for nothing. And can we not forget that he has to live with the weight (no pun intended) of Cher’s legacy on his shoulders.

Jennifer Breakspear on Chaz Bono :: Dancing To Understand

The public cry for Chaz’s dismissal on the show is just awful! “We don’t want to confuse our children,” “how do we explain to them that he was once a girl and is now a boy?” First of all, I think you should be more concerned with your children’s confusion with the amount of murder, bullying, war, racism, hunger, and hatred in the world. Chaz is a boy. What’s so confusing? What is there to explain? Ignorance is not bliss, my friends.

So he can’t dance. Neither can Cher. Sure, they shimmy great, but the Transgendered Male apple doesn’t fall far from the Tree. Chaz’s Cha-Cha was entertaining, for sure (and a little funny). But, my Goddess, does he try. And can’t we all just get by now that if you try really hard, you succeed?

LEAVE CHAZ ALONE.

Philip Tetro is a panellist on MTV’s 1 girl 5 gays, and really does look like he could be Chaz Bono’s brother.

Chaz Bono Leaves Dancing With The Stars Rehearsal

TRANS DANCING WITH THE STARS :: Chaz Bono is Dancing with the Stars and I say good for him. Not that I watch the show. From the little bits I’ve gleaned from social media it looks like a potentially embarrassing exercise that I would avoid like the plague. But I am so glad Chaz is on the show.

Last week I was contacted by a local radio show and asked to go on air to talk about Chaz Bono on Dancing With the Stars and the controversy that has developed. At first I was surprised to be asked. Surprised that a few American transphobic looney tunes warranted discussion on a Vancouver radio show. But the more I thought about it the more it made perfect sense, and important media commentary.

TRANS MOVEMENT :: A trans man wins Mr. International Leatherman

I remember Chaz’s earliest TV appearances, a bashful blonde baby girl on her proud parents’ program, The Sonny and Cher Show. As the child of two celebrity parents young Chastity could never hope to grow up in private. When Chaz came out about his transition he focused the resulting media spotlight toward a common good, that of raised awareness, education and greater understanding.

Transgender people are among the last to succeed in the struggle for full civil rights. Here in Canada lesbians and gays have achieved full legal equality. We must remain vigilant to protect our rights and ensure that the whims of politicians and the winds of social mood don’t infringe on our enjoyment of those rights but our Supreme Court decreed that sexual orientation is to be ‘read into’ the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. No such decree protects trans people. Bill Siksay introduced a private members bill (Bill C389) in 2010 which would have amended the Canadian Human Rights Act and Criminal Code to include gender identity and gender expression. But the bill died on the order paper when a federal election was called in 2011.

Whenever I speak on trans issues it is clear that the greatest enemy of understanding is lack of familiarity. When people think that they don’t know any trans people they lack a frame of reference, ignorance overcomes curiosity and fear prevents understanding. But when we know someone who is trans, when we see them within an understandable context, it is much harder to hold hard lines. The concept becomes a reality. The foreign becomes familiar. For those people who do not have trans people within their social networks (or are not aware that they do) the appearance of Chaz Bono on Dancing With the Stars, hearing him speak about his reality, brings the unfamiliar into their living room. And with familiarity we can overcome fear and ignorance until we reach understanding.

JENNIFER BREAKSPEAR :: A Luxurious Debate

It will take Chaz Bono dancing on TV, other trans people bravely coming out in their communities, the introduction of new legislation, more political debates and all of us speaking up and against hate but I believe that we will celebrate the achievement of full legal equality for trans people in the near future.

There are people who would rather stuff Chaz – and a number of people whom I personally care about – into a deep dark closet. Chaz’s appearance on American mainstream prime time TV has the potential to break down that closet door. Let Chaz dance. Let us cheer Chaz. And let his dance steps be significant steps toward understanding, acceptance and celebration.

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Holy hell! Last night’s Dancing With The Stars brought cheers, boos and Rick Fox (I’m slightly obsessed). Below are my thoughts on last night’s highs and lows as well as Rick Fox’s jive (Did I mention I’m slightly obsessed?). Enjoy!

I am a complete reality TV junkie. So naturally, it was only a matter of time before I started dedicating video blogs to Dancing With The Stars. (Sorry for the length! Got a little carried away.)

Jennifer Grey’s routine was my favourite of week 1 by a long shot. So emotional!

Grey as Jeannie, Ferris’ sister from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Oh sweet baby Hebus! First it’s American Idol. But let’s face it, it’s the worst of the worst that make that show fun.

She Bang! Read the full story