GLAAD Calls Out Chelsea Handler For Mocking Chaz Bono PDF Print
Written by Instinct Staff | Thursday, 01 September 2011
Tags: chelsea handler, chelsea lately, E!, tv, reality, comedy, transphobia, humor, what's your instinct, chaz, bono, cher, dancing with the stars, glaad, calls out

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Cher isn't the only one rushing to defend Chaz against a deluge of transphobia; GLAAD has called out comedian and "friend of the community" Chelsea Handler for employing what the organization is referring to as "transphobic humor to mock him." Details follow.

As an introduction to a recent episode of Handler's popular Chelsea Lately show, the hostess said, "The Dancing with the Stars cast has been announced and, this is season 13, it includes Chaz Bono, otherwise known as Chastity Bono [laughs] before she got her penis [laughs]."

The issues for which GLAAD has called out the E! show did not stop there. 

From the org's blog:

Out comedian Fortune Feimster soon said that she was personally most looking forward to watching Bono on the program, saying:

Fortune Feimster: I’m, I’m like you, I’m excited about Chaz Bono. Cause I used to watch the show…

CH: I wonder why. [laughs]

FF: It’s like reality gold, he’s like four reality shows in one, like who doesn’t love that?

This was immediately followed by jokes from comedians Bill Bellamy and Jo Koy, who has previously apologized for using anti-gay language:

BB: I mean who do you vote off? Him or her? I don’t know which one you want to do. [laughs]

JK: Does, does he/she have both parts? Like, like he’s like ‘I don’t want to use my penis, let’s use the vagina tonight.’ Like [laughs] I don’t know.

Is this the kind of language or endorsement of language a "friend of the community" should use? Is GLAAD right for calling these comedians out?

Comments (37)Add Comment
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written by KaiserFox, September 01, 2011
I think the mainstream gay male establishment was too eager to claim Chelsea Handler as a "friend if the community" (whatever that means) in the first place. Is the queer community really this comfortable defining itself by the same tired tropes of shallow and unashamedly insensitive bitchiness, precious substance abuse pride, and sexually casual behavior? There is nothing wrong with Chelsea's behavior, but the fact that the gay community has uncriticallyembraced her show is troublingly limiting. And GLAAD doesn't have the best track record either with the media it endorses; "The Boys in the Band" was making a huge impact decades before GLAAD gave its blessing to "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry."
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written by eastcoast, September 01, 2011
eh, not the best idea on her part but they are all comics. I'm not trans, but am gay & I don't find them offensive but who knows
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written by Cher News, September 01, 2011
OMG! That's just ridiculous; people in the public eye should be setting a better example! http://chernews.blogspot.com
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written by ac1dburn, September 01, 2011
Chaz Bono is not gay, he's a straight man, right? And since when did Chelsea Handler become a politically correct comedienne? She's been mocking people and cracking gay jokes forever. It's not really a new thing.
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written by Be kind to others, September 01, 2011

Dont you think some people have been bullied enough. Whether gay, straight, bi,transgender, fat, mental disorders.. enough already...I'm so proud to live in a world that so many people are accepting of this... But the few that dont... go back under your rock
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written by Marie, September 01, 2011
I wouldn't watch her anyway. Her, Kathy Griffin,Ricky Chervez(?) all those that use insults and degradation for a laugh. They are not funny to me. You have no right to an opinion until u have walked a mile in their shoes.
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written by Nickey, September 01, 2011
I used to like CH but found none of the above humorous at all.
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written by kyla, September 01, 2011
stop giving all of this so much attention, it only adds fuel to the fire!! let it go. people are free to say what they want on tv unfortunately. let it go!
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written by ALEXANDRIA PAGANI IENCHE, September 01, 2011
CHELSEA HANDLER - YOU'VE NEVER BEEN MARRIED!! AND WHAT DO WE THINK? hummmmmmmmmmm
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written by John Planta, September 01, 2011
@jffbono- are you freaking kiddding me? He is not shoving his lifestyle - if you do not want to watch, turn off the TV and stop being a bigot!
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written by Jamied, September 01, 2011
Currently raising 9 year old quadruplets children with my partner in Sonoma ca we are often disappointed in comments hidden behind jokes at our children's expense. Kudos for Cher standing by Chaz on his road to peace and happiness in life. Shame on Chelsea. Kathy Griffon will be the next attempt at 29 cent punchlines. Tired.
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written by Mel in Texas, September 01, 2011
I am not a gay man or woman, just a citizen. My opinion is that ABC needs to stand up and support the cast on their show. This show has made them millions of dollars, now it's time to do the right thing. If they can't stand up to the bullies, then I can't watch the show. This is the same network that airs "Modern Family". How about MODERN NETWORK? It will still be a "family" show. If people are uncomfortable discussing Chaz Bono's gender with their kids when watching the show, then DON'T DISCUSS IT! Chaz is a man now and that's all anyone will see, A Man, dancing with a woman. Get some real problems if this bothers you, it is a nonissue.
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written by Popfan, September 01, 2011
@jffbono: I think you need to find a different blog cause your bigotry isn't welcome here!
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written by llhalfbreedll, September 01, 2011
@ Jamied: Kathy Griffin is one of Cher's best friends, so I wouldn't expect any jokes at Chaz's expense.
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written by Madeline, September 01, 2011
The Chelsea Lately show is full of American shlock which should be taken off the air. They are so desperate for a cheap laugh they'll spout off anything from their foul mouths. Falsely labelled as 'friends' of the gay community or any minority community
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written by Katie in the Yoop, September 01, 2011
Oh my gosh! Who cares??!! The only reason comics tell those kinds of jokes is because they get attention for them. Ignore them. Don't watch Chelsea's show. They only reason everyone's talking about it is because everyone is talking about it. So stop and move on to more positive things.
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written by Rhys, September 01, 2011
I am a gay man and I fully support Chaz Bono. That being said, Chaz also made the decision to make his transition public, and therefore has to accept that people are going to say things he may not want to hear. Chelsea Handler is a comedian who makes a living poking fun at pop culture and current events. She's not a bully, and people need to take her comments for what they are: jokes. Lets all get over ourselves and get on with our lives.
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written by Chris SD, September 01, 2011
It's hard to take these kinds of jokes lightly when people are still being murdered for being transgender and because of the kind of environment this kind of humor creates.
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