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'DWTS' Boss Addresses Chaz Bono Controversy, Cher and Lacey Schwimmer Lend Their Support
by Catherine Lawson, posted Sep 1st 2011 7:10AM
The 'Dancing With the Stars' Season 13 premiere is still more than two weeks away, but the controversy surrounding the inclusion of Chaz Bono as the show's first transgender contestant rages on.Now, the executive producer of 'DWTS' has spoken publicly about the issue, and both Bono's mom, Oscar-winning actress and singer Cher, and his pro dance partner, Lacey Schwimmer, have expressed their support for Bono and their disappointment at the negative reactions.
'DWTS' executive producer Conrad Green addressed allegations from some online commenters that the show is pushing a homosexual agenda. He told 'The Hollywood Reporter' that such charges are unfounded.
"We don't have an agenda of any sorts," said Green. "I think of the 120 celebrities we've put on the show, we've had, I think now, three transgender or gay contestants. If that's a homosexual agenda, we're not doing very well at it."
He added that "What we try to do is reflect a broad range of the entertainment world in the casting of the show, and we're always trying to find new things that people haven't seen, new types of stories and that's what we've been doing this season."
Bono (née Chastity) began the female-to-male transition process in 2008 and went on to chronicle his gender reassignment journey in a candid documentary for Oprah Winfrey's OWN network. 'Becoming Chaz' aired back in May and has been nominated for three Emmy Awards.
Green told 'THR' it was this journey that made Bono an obvious choice for 'DWTS': "It's a fascinating story, his life in the last few years and the changes that he's made in his life. He's got a really interesting story to tell and that's just one facet of it."
Meanwhile, maternal instincts firmly to the fore, Cher came out swinging on the Internet. She Tweeted messages of support such as: "bet VAST MAJORITY of People will LOVE CHAZ on DWTS ! & it's took Fkg Guts 2! Chaz isn't exactly the "Gotta Dance Gotta Dance" kinda Guy" and "Mothers don't stop Getting angry with stupid bigots who fk with their children!"
Bono Tweeted back: "Thanks for all your support mom. The haters are just motivating me to work harder and stay on DWTS as long as I possibly can."
Schwimmer told TheInsider.com that she's thrilled to have Bono as a partner: "I've always been a huge supporter of the LGBT community and I couldn't be more excited to have Chaz. Not only is he Sonny & Cher's child but he's also a generally cool person."
Discussing Bono's critics, Schwimmer said "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."
'Dancing With the Stars' Season 13 premieres Mon., Sept. 19 at 8PM ET on ABC.
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