FGG, ESSDA, and NASSPDA express support of Chaz Bono

Chaz Bono, a trans man born as Chastity Bono, the daughter of Cher and Sonny Bono, has been cast by American TV network ABC for its dance competition "Dancing With the Stars". The presence of a trans person has raised the hackles of transphobic persons, who are protesting his presence (more info HERE).

The Federation of Gay Games and its two international LGBT DanceSport member organizations ESSDA and NASSPDA have written a letter of support to Chaz Bono:

We are writing to support you as you face criticism from transphobic bigots relative to your participation in the "Dancing With the Stars" television competition.

We represent the North American Same-Sex Partner Dance Association, the European Same-Sex Dance Association, and the international Federation of Gay Games. We and our members represent thousands of lesbian, gay, bi, trans and allied dancers who organize and compete in the dozens of same-sex dance competitions held each year.

We firmly believe in DanceSport as an athletic pursuit for health and well-being of the mind and body, in the artistic expression it provides, and in the community of support and solidarity it creates. We hope that you will be able to discover the joys of dancing, despite the virulent attacks from what we hope are in fact only a few close-minded persons.

We wish you success in the competition, and hope that, if you come to love DanceSport as much as we do, you will join us in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2014 for DanceSport at Gay Games 9.

In any case, we are ready and willing to offer help from ourselves and our members.