OT Zeke Smith outed as transgender on 'Survivor

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cn...nt/zeke-smith-transgender-survivor/index.html

CNN)The outing of a "Survivor" cast member on television has sparked outrage.

Zeke Smith, who appeared on back-to-back seasons of the reality series, was revealed to be a transgender man by fellow contestant Jeff Varner in an episode that aired Wednesday night.

Varner, who is gay, shared the information during an emotional Tribal Council on "Survivor: Game Changers."

"Why haven't you told anyone you're transgender?" Varner asked Smith.

Other contestants reacted negatively, telling Varner that was personal and he shouldn't have said it. Varner insisted he did it to show that Smith was deceptive during the game.

Smith responded by explaining that he didn't want to be labeled "the trans 'Survivor' player."

"I wanted to be Zeke the 'Survivor' player," Smith said.

Varner apologized, but was voted off the show.

Some fans were both stunned by the revelation and angered that Varner chose to go public with the information.

Contestants on the series compete for a major cash prize by surviving in remote locations and competing in extreme challenges.

"Survivor" host Jeff Probst told Entertainment Weekly that while he has rarely given his personal opinion in 34 seasons of the series, he could not remain quiet about this incident.

"I cannot imagine anyone thinking what was done to Zeke was okay on any level, under any circumstances, and certainly not simply because there was a million dollars on the line," Probst said. "I think the response from the tribe, as it so often does, mirrors what the vast majority of society will feel. You just don't do that to someone."

In a guest column written for The Hollywood Reporter, Smith said he wasn't "wild" about viewers knowing he is transgender.

He said he began watching "Survivor" at a time when he was dealing with both depression and transitioning.

"So significant was the experience that I remember where I watched Episode 1 of 'Survivor: Cook Islands;' I remember the date, May 2, 2010." Smith wrote. "I remember distinctly Jeff Probst's opening line, 'You are watching 20 Americans begin an adventure that will forever change their lives.' I was hooked."

Smith said moving to New York where people knew him only as "Zeke" was "tremendously liberating."

"A person's gender history is private information and it is up to them, and only them, when, how, and to whom they choose to disclose that information," he wrote. "Keeping your gender history private is not the same as a gay person being 'in the closet.' The only people who need to know are medical professionals and naked fun time friends."

Varner tweeted an apology after the episode aired, calling it "the worst decision of my life."

"Yep. I did that. And I offer my deepest, most heart-felt apologies to Zeke Smith, his friends and life allies, his family and to all those who my mistake hurt and offended," Varner wrote in a statement he posted.

"Let me be clear, outing someone is assault," he added. "It robs a strong, courageous person of their power and protection and opens them up to discrimination and danger."

While the show was filmed eight months ago, Smith told People he struggles with forgiving Varner.

"I don't think (Varner) hates trans people. I just think he has a lot of misconceptions about trans people," Smith said. "I think if he wants to be an ally to trans people, he has a long way to go."

 

That was shocking. So wrong.

 

I was so baffled by Varner. Why did he think that would help him? Great to see the tribe react in defense of Zeke who is just shell shocked. Then Zeke regains his composure and comes out of this looking stronger. Varner is toast.

 

People still watch Survivor?

 

One of my favorite shows. 30 seasons strong!

 

I watched the first season and that was it. The first season was fascinating though.

This is reality TV. They didn't have to show that on TV. They could have edited it. This is a publicity stunt. Plain and simple.

 

I watched a few episodes once. Not my cup of tea.

Just googled Zeke Smith. Looks like a guy to me.

 

I'm guessing they wouldn't have released it if he wasn't okay with it. I watched the clip and a few other interviews about it. The dude that outed him is fucked though.

 

I wonder if they paid Zeke to show this or it was really his wish to air it. Apparently there were internet rumors about him being TS last year. So he may have been good with showing it.

 

Reality TV sucks ass.

 

This show is horse shit. After they finish filming the actors go straight to a hotel and a bed and breakfast. There is no survival about it and it's all about interpersonal drama. Its jerry springer without the fight bell. Fuck that show and it's publicity stunt.

 

It was a key part of the game. They didn't even vote. There's no way they could've edited around it.

 

Exactly why he and other trans men should be allowed to use the men's room. Would you want Zeke in a women's room?

 

Fuck no, I'm on the right side of the bathroom debate. Actually I might have a different and better opinion than everyone.

If you look like a guy... Men's room.
If you look like a woman... Ladies room.

Here is where I might stray from the rest. If you have a penis you can use the men's room whether you look like a man or a woman. Urinals are for people with a penis.

I haven't been to a lot of sporting events or concerts lately but these dipshit Republicans are going to ruin this for men. We're going to end up with unisex bathrooms and the bonus of being a man and having shorter lines for the restroom will go away.

 

@bodyman5000 and 1 problem?

 

My GUESS is that there is a penis there. If so, user's choice.

Look, it has been 12 years since I moved to Vegas and I'll tell you it takes a lot more to shock me than it once did. I was tying my shoe in the mens locker room at the gym ten years ago and looked up and saw C cup store bought boobs. Then I saw a person who looked like Iggy Pop attached to them

 

I've never understood this. It's a damn bathroom let the people use it.
"Oh what if a perv looks at my child using the public bathroom!"
Such a stupid statement.
I know for a fact that if the bathroom has the ability to accommodate multiple people at once, parents don't let their kids go alone until a certain age.
But seriously, it's a fucking bathroom. Anyone saying you have to look this way, or that way to use x bathroom needs to just stop making a mountain out of a molehill.