B. Scott is reportedly seeking $2.5 million from BET for forcing him to ditch his heels and then yanking him off the air during the BET Awards.
Between Laverne Cox on Orange is the New Black, Virgg on America’s Next Top Model, and the current US wide RuPaul’s Drag Race Tour featuring transgender burlesque star Carmen Carrera, it seems like there is a growing acceptance of public and outspoken gender-fluid, gender-queer, and transgender people in the media.
However, B. Scott, an openly gay transgender culture critic and internet personality, has faced some blatant discrimination: he’ll be suing the BET network for pulling him off their award show for wearing women’s clothing.
In the law suit obtained by TMZ, Scott – who quite frankly looks divine in men’s or women’s clothing – was ordered to remove his make up and heels. Earlier in the night, Scott’s sheer tunic, palazzo pants and pumps were approved by the BET higher ups, but he was forced to change into a less androgynous — though equally color-coordinated — outfit.
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Despite Scott being able to werk both femme queen and butch queen with ease, the network unnecessarily opted for the more gender-normative look. Ultimately, it hardly mattered: Scott was later pulled from the show and replaced by fellow anchor Adrienne Bailon.
TMZ was unable to get through to BET for comment, but it looks like Scott is seeking $2.5 million from the station, claiming he has suffered damage to his reputation and that BET is guilty of sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination. While this news is disheartening, we can’t wait to see what executive realness B. Scott brings to the courtroom floor. There’s this, for starters.
Photo: TMZ
xtincta
B.Scott is NOT transgender, he’s androgynous. He has no desire to changed his born gender and by all accounts he’s happy with being male. Anyway I wish him luck and hopes he wins the lawsuit BET was really shady to not only make him change but not even try to rectify the situation properly.
Thedrdonna
@xtincta: Well, he IS transgender, he’s just not transsexual. Transgender being an umbrella term and all.
Dixie Rect
So tired of hearing about this nonsense on a gay/lesbian blog. I don’t give a shit about this mess.
Queerty, please start a trannie blog for those who care about this crap?
Scribe38
I wish him good luck on the suit but I don’t believe he has much standing unless they promised to pay him 2 million and didn’t. Either way he is doing a good thing by bringing the suit, maybe BET will learn how to treat people better.
Scribe38
@Dixie Rect: No one is totally free and equal until all of us are free and equal. I can recognize any ones right to be comfortable in their own skin and their right to make a living.
Thedrdonna
@Dixie Rect: You realize that you can read the headline, and if you don’t find it interesting, you’re not required to read the article, right? It’s Queerty, not Whitegaymenty.
Brian
BET is not very gay-friendly. Some might even say that BET is homophobic.
tookietookie
Good for her/im.
Nyruinz
@Brian:
Spike Lee is doing a sequel to his 1988 film School Daze and homophobia will be a major focus of the film. I wonder
if BET will support and promote this film ( doubt it).
Kangol
@Thedrdonna:
LOL!!!!
I think she’s a drama queen but BET should not be acting in a homophobic or transphobic manner. B Scott was not harming anyone by being fierce in her outfit. BET has the problem and they may have to pay up for it.
Nyruinz
@Kangol:
I agree! I have followed B. Scott since he debuted on “Youtube” back in 2008. I must say he has become more pretentious and self absorbed since 2008, but that does not excuse BET’s behavior.
Cee
The damage to his reputation was caused by him mostly. The only backlash he has received to my knowledge was because he still went on air after they told him to change. BET didn’t make him look bad. He made himself look bad for not standing up for himself and selling out basically. Then when they switched him out with that other person he wanted to cry. He still got paid. I don’t know what this lawsuit is about other than him being a drama queen.
pathotrix
@Dixie Rect:
You and your transphobia is disgusting. This blog is called QUEERty. Shame on you, as a gay or lesbian you should know better.