After last night’s announcement of this year’s Dancing with the Stars lineup, GLAAD, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, issued praise to ABC for including transgender and gay contestants Chaz Bono and Carson Kressley in season 13.
“With both gay and transgender contestants represented on this upcoming season, ABC will send viewers a strong message about the diversity within the LGBT community,” said Herndon Graddick, senior of director of programs for GLAAD. “At a time when transgender representation in the media is sorely lacking, Chaz Bono joining the cast is a tremendous step forward for the public to recognize that transgender people are another wonderful part of the fabric of American culture. Appearing on such a high-profile show will allow millions of Americans to get to know him in a whole new light.”
This is the first time ABC has included a transgender star in its DWTS lineup. Chaz Bono, the only child of Cher and Sonny Bono, is well-known for his television show airing on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) which has documented his transition from female to male.
Carson Kressley, DTWS latest gay contestant, also hosts a show on OWN, but he isn’t the first gay contestant to appear on the show. Previous gay contestants include Lance Bass who appeared in season 7 and Louis Amstel, who debuted his appearance in season 12.
As for the dancing partners of each contestant, fans will have to tune into Good Morning America for the official say Wednesday.
