“I fight for the rights of trans ppl” *puts a trans person in an uncomfortable and dangerous situation* AND WHO KNOWS WHO ELSE HE HAS DONE THIS TO or what else he has said to other trans people
Aye, equating being trans with being deceptive without even blinking said everything about Varner's basic mindset. More broadly, he also revealed himself to be the sort of person who'll toss a *friend* under the bus in a moment of paranoia, hurt, or anger---so, it makes me wonder how many people he's sabotaged or backstabbed like this, period, in a similar moment of anger or hurt.
As someone who is used to the majority of reality television being transphobic (I mean, even **Drag Race** has an extensive history of transphobia) the first time I saw the clip of Zeke being outed I was shocked by how Varner was immediately shut down and condemned by the other contestants and the host. The fact that it happened is absolutely terrible and I felt so awful seeing Zeke quietly sit there just staring off into the middle distance after being outed, but I think it was really important for me to see that a bunch of cis (and mostly het) people not only knew that transphobia is wrong, but acted like it was the common social consensus that what he did was obviously wrong. In a lot of places it's still not the case that the majority of people can recognize and understand the harm of transphobia, but seeing that small shift in some forms of media is very promising.
That made me feel so much hope for the world. You sadly don't expect so much sudden support and reaction from outside the community. Like they may not understand every aspect of our identity, but they understand that no matter what, we should always get to have that right of privacy and that we don't owe an explanation or a coming out.
Zeke’s words after this happened about hope and forgiveness legit made me cry. I don’t know if I could have been so gracious a person in a moment like that, being outed as trans by someone I thought was a good friend. What a powerful statement, *what an amazing person,* and I sincerely hope he is and remains successful in all that he chooses to do. I’m tearing up again lol This world does not deserve such a kind and gracious human being
I watched this whole season and Zeke did say that survivor gave him the option of not airing the footage if he didn’t want to be publicly outed and he choose for them to air it. I glad they gave him some control and choice in the matter. I remember the very next episode is the merge and one of the other players suggests they vote for Zeke because he has a good story. They waited like an episode before voting him out but I also think him being outed led to him being voted out which was pretty f-ed up. What makes it all even worse on Jeff Varner’s side is that he published a book about the experience and used it for his own personal gain. He even threw in a pitch for his book when they briefly talked to him during the reunion show and Jeff Probst looked annoyed. His book is called “Surviving Shame”. I can’t believe he exploited the experience for money. I think he was only sad that this made him look bad. He’s still transphobic and I wonder how exactly he figured out Zeke was trans. I love Zeke, he was a great player. I read a recent interview with him and he is married or engaged (can’t remember exactly which) to an actor he met in LA and seems to be doing really well.
It's honestly wild to me that production gave him that choice. Not because he shouldn't have had the choice of whether that should air, but because usually productions want to milk that kinda of trauma porn regardless of its effect on folks.
sorry i know this comment thread is super old but thank you so much for mentioning that zeke chose to have the footage aired. i was really concerned that the show did that without his consent. it’s almost weird that for a show with such debatable ethics, they really seemed to knock it out of the park on this one issue.
What sucks is Varner actually hasn't learned and very recently has been making all kinds of transphobic posts on twitter. But like you said don't harass him, there's no point in engaging with him imo
@@huggyjose if a two year old comment on a youtube video he's never going to read meets your definition of harassment then i don't care bc no serious person actually considers that harassment
I have such a clear memory of watching this, and I didn't realize until around now that it was actually a pivotal moment in my life as far as gender goes. I was probably 8 or 9 when I first learned what being trans was when I watched Jazz Jenning's show with my mom. My dad had made some uneducated and ignorant comments about transitioning before and during that time, which made me think that it was all a joke or something, like it was just something this one "crazy kid" was doing. When I watched this episode of survivor is middle school, it was a major turning point. Learning that Zeke was a totally normal dude that also happened to be trans, and also seeing the beautiful immediate support he received from the rest of the cast, showed me that my dad was wrong and I realized I couldn't possibly judge someone like Zeke or Jazz like my dad had done, because they were just like me (in more ways than I even knew at that point). Zeke has remained my favourite contestant, not because he is trans, but because of how gracious and kind he was about the experience, and how he changed my worldview like that. Without that episode I might still be unaware about my own gender-nonconformity. Btw, congrats on top surgery Brennen!!
SAME!!! I vaguely remember watching Jazz’s show and I watched Survivor too. This moment re-introduced me to non-cis people, and now years later, I identify as a non-binary lesbian💗
I used to work in a bank department where the majority of my coworkers were Trumpers. It was hell. But! A lot of them were also really into Survivor so I hear them discussing this episode and like...they were overwhelmingly on Zeke's side. I was truly shocked by how respectful they were when discussing this. It was the only time I didn't want to bash my head against the wall when overhearing them discuss any kind of social issue. Edit: Oh hey! You got that Starbucks cup you wanted! Awesome!
"What I'm showing is a deception and that has nothing to do with the game" There it is. Varner admits right then and there that he thinks Zeze is in the wrong for keeping it private, even in real life. He said he was deceptive outside of the game. What a mean-spirited person. I'm glad the other players were sensible and kind.
I have such a hard time understanding people like this. I know cis gay people have different experiences than trans folk in many ways, but I do NOT understand why someone who has ever experienced the pain and danger of being involuntarily outed would ever want to visit that harm on someone else. About anything. I would never out someone as being, like, a Dodgers fan. Let alone about something as important and possibly not even true as my uninvited guesses about their childhood situation.
I think a lot of people don’t get that sexuality and gender are completely two separate things that CAN overlap but ultimately need different resources/rights/etc. This really made my blood boil and it’s a sad reality trans/n-b people face. I’ve met too many transphobic cis gay guys it’s insane.
Well, if its anything to go by, Zeke is being extremely active on social media, boosting queer voices on twitter..... annnnnnnd jeff varner has his twitter on lockdown with some.. somewhat interesting things in his bio. Update: okay hes straight up retweeting and quote tweeting extremely transphobic content. So much for fighting for the trans community!
@@lemon_scented_rat4559 it says: (spaced bc cringe-read further if you wish) “Accepting of all | Tolerant of most | Recovering Journalist, Host | 2X Emmy Nominee | Solo Traveler | Proud Gay, Queer is a Slur”
@@brennenbeckwith He is an older gay man that I'm sure grew up having that word used in a derogatory way against him, as many gay people have, so I get where he's coming from with saying queer is a slur. I also think anyone in the community has the right to reclaim that word, but we should all be mindful that it is a very negative word for many members of our community still.
I'm not sure if you're aware but over the last week varner has doubled down on his transphobia and has been blaming the anti lgbt laws being passed recently on trans folks. The good side is that many members of the survivor community have denounced varner once again (a little too late but I digress) which gives me a little hope for the future. Plus this upcoming season is going to have an openly trans contestant in Jackson who I'm excited to see play.
I totally wrote a paper about this season of Survivor for my women's and gender studies course last year. Filled with great yet sometimes awful relevant content.
@@keaton9961 I know but she wrote a paper about Survivor and Gender studies and since Shan got a bunch of hate last season I presumed she wrote it about her
@@BradleyBoy Yeah 100%, I kind of thought you were doing the same and came to defend her. I feel like she deserved way better from this fandom. She didn't deserve so much hate.
@@keaton9961 If it were Russell doing the things Shan did the fans would love it (Russell could literally kick a puppy over and his fans would say the puppy deserved it)
Fun fact : the French version of Survivor called Koh Lanta had recently come under fire because several contestants have been found to get special treatment by bribing the staff or using their charisma to get more food. It was a huge scandal and many beloved contestants are now seen as complete outcasts. Also CONGRATS ON TOP SURGERY 🎇🎆 Edit : Toast is a nice name for that toasty cat. Cinnamon is nice too, Nougat is fun and fancy and Spaghetti is the name I give every cat.
oh boy I remember seeing this episode when it came out with my parents. They took Varner's side and it kept my babey trans ass in the closet for years :))). Nothing like basically telling a babey trans that they're inherently a liar
I can't believe Varner did this to Zeke, that is so unbelievably transphobic and dangerous--the fact that he didn't take five second to think about how doing that would extend beyond that moment and into the rest of Zeke's life. The response from everyone else was incredibly encouraging, but they shouldn't have had to do that in the first place, and this shouldn't have made it onto the episode.
Zeke had a choice to put it in the episode or not and he chose to. While I do wish this very heart breaking moment didn’t exist… I feel like it still gave hope to many people.
@@wittyblonde6728 Not sure if I missed that, but what a relief. I really admire him for making that decision, because as much as Varner sucks, the way the rest of his team jumped in was really touching. It was hard to watch this as a trans person, but the understanding and kindness from everyone else made me so hopeful.
Didnt rly have a choice tho did he. So few of us out there that we all gotta be model citizens and advocates whether we want to or not. Consequences are too great not to
Did Varner come out of the womb being openly gay? Surely he had some sort of coming out process. Why would he not know how fucked up outing someone is when he likely would have spent at least a little bit of time in the closet? Has he been out for so long that he forgot that feeling?
Swedish person here, on the topic of cats and birds: My granddad hates that there's so many cats in our neighborhood because of the fact that they kill birds, so he always make sure to take care of the birds in the way he can, by putting out food for them during the winters, and placing out some bird baths during the summers. He's also got some bird houses (at least two) put up in the trees in his backyard, and one of his favorite things to do is to sit and watch when the babies leave the nest. ❤️
If humans didn't want cats killing birds then why did they tame wildcats and introduce them to every country on the planet? They're carnivores so of course they are going to kill birds and they typically go after species classified under "least concern" conservation status, but if they do go after rare birds, there are plenty of ways to get rid of them without harming them such as putting plants that cats hate in your garden or trapping them and sending them to animal control if they have no family.
Survivor is probably one of the most inclusive shows out there. It gets a lot of flack for being “woke” by bigots, but the show really doesn’t discriminate all that much. And I think that’s super cool.
A big thing is, the first season's winner was an openly gay guy. And his biggest ally was an old 60 year old war vet, who actually found kinship with him. And this was in 2000.
it's okay when I had my top surgery I watched every playthrough I could find of Ace attorney, a game i've never played and have zero interest in playing while very loopy on pain meds. edit: "I have trans friends" Not anymore Varner, not anymore!
As a survivor fan, I’d like to mention; *spoiler warning for 42* Jackson Fox, one of the first actually out from the get go as trans, gets taken out on the first episode before the immunity competition because he was on lithium 😭
God, I’m not even stealth, I’m loudly non-binary. I still can’t imagine someone just saying something like that and I’m glad that the other players stood up for Zeke.
I remember watching this episode when it first came out. I remember feeling so, so, so mad. I was watching at a time when I was questioning both my sexuality and gender and knowing that if anyone that I had trusted to admit that to had shared it I would have never left my house again. I only finished the season in the hopes that Zeke would win- he had been my favorite even in the season before. The one thing that made me feel better was how every single person defended Zeke and called out Varner. Congrats on your top surgery by the way!
Survivor fan here... Unfortunately, Varner seems to have doubled down on the “cancel culture” argument recently. Recently on twitter, he pretty much openly stated his continuing transphobia and declared himself “anti-queer”
I'm about halfway through right now and oh my god yes. "I didn't think trans people deserved rights but I met you and you seem cool :)" is such a weird... compliment? Like? Thanks? I think? I'm not sure how much I trust you now but... okay I guess? Edit: "anesthesia causes depression symptoms" me, popping a blueberry into my mouth during a bad bout of depression almost 2 months post op from top surgery: it does what,,,, Well, no wonder my depression's been worse despite being on leave from work lol
checked Jeff's twitter and he has a ton of recent tweets about detransitioning, including retweets from JK Rowling......... also tweets about how it should be LGB (without the TQ+) so now im really unsurprised that he used Zeke's transness against him
Oh my god, him repeatedly referring to being trans as ‘deception’ was so jarring. He just kept saying the same thing like everyone would ‘get it’ and he would be able to dig himself out of the hole of transphobia and disrespect he had dug himself into. I feel awful for Zeke, but so glad that everyone else defended Zeke so readily. I can’t imagine being in that situation and feeling so exposed to have it all happen on TV.
Zeke didn't deserve that whatsoever, which doesn't even need to be stated really. No trans person deserves to be outed, nor do people who are LGBTQ+ in terms of sexuality and/or romantic identity (for those who are aro spectrum or are ace spectrum and panromantic or homoromantic or something like that) only. I'm nonbinary and I've had to deal with the fear of being rejected for my identity several times now, and I'm closeted as well (after coming out once and having to be outed in a traumatizing situation after saying that I was no longer nonbinary to prevent my parents hating me, and then having to hide it again, of course). It's terrifying and nobody should have to go through it, nobody should have to deal with people who are part of their community being bigotted and transphobic. To anyone who has had to deal with it as well, please know you're valid. That goes to trans individuals who haven't had to deal with it, too. You're valid no matter what transphobic pricks say about your identity, no matter what anyone says or does. You're 100% valid and thank you for just existing.
this was five years ago?? wow I remember it so clearly lol. I grew up watching survivor, and although I don't watch it anymore, it's def an addicting show/format. One of my family members who still watched at the time texted me one morning and was like "hey, you should watch this episode, it's on the DVR" and I was shocked
Your comments about forgiveness really speak to me. I've tried to handle altercations similar to this with the tendency to forgive and not burn bridges. I'm lucky enough to be in a position where I can emotionally and physically afford to do that. But every time it happens, there's that twinge of, not quite regret, but inner conflict. I know I don't deserve the degrading comments and the close-mindedness that often come with transphobia or other kinds of bigotry. And there's that animalistic desire for me to just smack those idiots across the face and never talk to them again. But then I'd be one of the 'bad transgenders' or 'SJW freaks' which supports their worldview that I'm trying to combat. Being the 'bigger person' requires a lot. And it's hard to do, and is often overlooked by the people who directly benefit from it. Kudos to Zeke for being one of the pros and handling this situation more eloquently than I ever could. And thanks for sharing this Brennen, the way you handle these topics is like a breath of fresh air for me
Everyone had the correct reaction in this scenario. People who don’t understand anything that trans people go through will say that this was an overreaction, when it simply was not.
Varner just kept contradicting himself, it's so embarrassing. It's so sad that a gay man, who should be familiar with the concept of outing and should know how horrible it is, would out a trans man anyway. I'm just glad Zeke is okay, and that everyone on his team came out to support him. I couldn't stop grinning looking at how much Varner's plan backfired, to the point where no vote was needed. Also as I saw on your Twitter, Brennen, I looked at his Twitter bio and... my God. He did not get any better. Anyway I'm still so happy for your top surgery, everytime I watch one of your videos I get excited thinking about getting top surgery in the future. Your videos are always so interesting to watch and I can't wait to see your next work!
Something that messes me up is Varner saying he didn't expect people to react the way that they did. This means he thought that people were also at the very least going to think that Zeke was a liar (and possibly become hateful and at worst violent toward him). So Varner was fine with sailing off the island leaving Zeke behind surrounded by people that he believed would have a negative reaction to Zeke's trans-ness, left to his own defenses until they could vote him off at the earliest opportunity.
It was interesting, and I'm genuinely curious about what it says about the subconscious acceptance of LGBTQIA+ folks, but when I saw the title said that he was outed, I genuinely thought that this was going to be about him being outed as in voted off the island and out of the game. It a concept that really breaks the bubble im in, sitting in my privileged place in the world and in the LGBTQIA+ community, that people are still in positions that their sexuality and indentity can be outed in a way that causes controversy. I'm going to have to sit with this in myself and think about it, thank you for making this video and the conversation you have sparked within myself that I didn't realise I needed to have ❤❤❤
I don't think Varner meant everyone on the show had clocked Zeke. I think he meant he assumed Zeke was out in real life so it would just be a game stab, but not a real world stab to out him. But assuming that all trans people are out and public was super ignorant on his part. And also proves what you said about him being transphobic. He totally was/is!
I just want to say I’ve loved watching your long videos while I do work or play games. There’s been so much horrible news about our community, and listening to a fellow trans masc has been amazing to stop thinking about it. Love your content man!!
Even if Varner was trying to say that he thought he was out to people IRL outside the game, and that he was inly stealth in the game, it in no way makes what he did less scummy and Zeke was the definition of magnanimous. I'm glad the rest of the cast held him accountable. And hopefully all of the viewers. Varner weaponized something maliciously that could have lethal consequences outside the game. And even if he truly thought that the stealthness was strategic for the game, he took the gamble not only with $1M but Zeke's life and livelihood.
Thank you for talking about this! I try to be as much of a trans ally as I can be considering I’m a queer cis-woman and have gotten in quite a few discussions with other cis-people about how out trans-people should be (as if it’s any of our business to know that information). I’ve been trying to watch more videos from trans-RU-vidrs lately, so I can learn how to be a better advocate when I can. It helps that there are so many talented trans creators out there (
As awful as this whole scene is, I do find it iconic that everyone else - including the host dude - are in unanimous agreement, to the point they don't even bother wasting time with a vote. Dude tried to save his ass by betting on everyone else being transphobic, but it was his downfall. Good riddance.
I'm super bad at clocking bc even if I see "trans traits" I just assume the person is doing unconventional gender expression. Once I looked at pretransition photos of a friend who wasn't out. I sorta just noticed his hair was longer and talked to him about how I saw old photos and his hair was different. The look of utter relief while I obliviously prattle on about being face blind n whatnot. A couple months later I found out he was trans and "you changed your hair" has ever since been an inside joke between us.
the relevancy of Zeke's transness to the show is so minimal, Varner may as well have asked him, "why haven't you told anyone you're of German descent?" not only did it have nothing to do with anything, but it's not as though he was asked outright if he was trans and he lied-it's just something irrelevant that he didn't bring up because he had no reason to and no desire to. i'm impressed Zeke held it together as well as he did i would've started crying lmfao. i can't believe that not for one miniscule second Varner didn't think, "hm, if i was still in the closet, would i like it if someone told everyone i was gay even if it had nothing to do with anything? would _i_ be lying if i never mentioned i was gay, or would i just be protecting myself by not bringing up personal information that could potentially make others react violently?" like dude conflates being gay and being trans so much you'd think he'd at least recognize that. edit: ayyyy stealth trans pride flag shirt on Zeke during the reunion /j
i remember the moment when i watched this episode with my dad. i wasn’t out yet, and survivor was our show that we would watch all the time as the episodes came out. both of our jaws dropped, and we just sat there for a few moments processing what had just happened. my dad is pretty right wing, and i was absolutely terrified as a closeted trans guy sitting right there next to him. i remember exactly what he said to this day. “man. that was really fucked up.” yeah. it really was. we talked about it after and he was really supportive of zeke and felt bad for him. im out and on T now, but that moment was one that ill never forget. that episode truly was a fucking doozy
Your videos always give me hope to a brighter future for trans people, as a trans man living in Texas where laws are trying to be passed to take away our rights, it can be very easy to feel stuck and that I’ll never get to be the man I think oh myself as. You are truly an inspiration to me, and make me want to advocate for queer rights in my future
I am a survivor fan (along with my mom) I remember watching this episode with my mom. It was very interesting cause I was very closeted at the time. Learning that she wholeheartedly opposed what Varner did made feel just a little more comfortable with the thought of coming out to her. Man did I ever half to hold back some of my thoughts while watching and discussing this episode with her
Man, maybe it's just an emotional day but 2 parts of this video made my BAWL my eyes out. Zeke's words on forgiveness while staying afar- as you said, it was beautiful and intelligent and I could tell how much of an impact it made on you and so many other trans fans of the American survivor. The power and strength he has to be so gracious and forgiving while standing up and protecting himself and his boundaries was awe-inspiring. The other part that made me bawl out of sadness/anger was when you took the time out of your narrative to say "Cis gay men, please don't be offended". The fact that this video and your channel can be and has been the target of such transphobic vitriol (queer or not) and that we, as cis people, have such fragile egos that you feel the need to wrap us in metaphorical bubble wrap (when it's definitely not given back to the u/the trans community) is both infuriating and heartbreaking. Your voice, your commentary and your channel has been so important in showcasing positive transmasc representation, breaking down and educating us on trans issues, fighting back on the sh*tty transphobic and transmedicalist narratives and in general, being a shining light in what can be a quite toxic and dangerous environment (youtube/the internet). The emotional labor this must take on you, not only to educate and be so gracious to us (the non-trans audience) when it's not deserved but to then on top of that, still be emotionally prepared to get reactionary/defensive responses from us is more than I can imagine. In a perfect world you wouldn't have to be so careful about standing up for your rights and community, but we don't live in a perfect world. I really hope you're taking care of yourself and have all the love and support around you to be there and understand the immense amount of mental and emotional labor you're taking on. PS. Sorry if I sound a bit presumptuous or am assuming wrong, ofc this is just an outside perspective. In short, I just want to say that you're very appreciated and deserve the best Brennan.
"I have transgender friends who know me" oh wow what a coincidence that's what JK Rowling said. "I think he doesn't have trans friend, I think he knows trans people" is a powerful way to put this sentiment.
I'm in the middle of procrastinating writing a paper about stereotypes for a social psychology class, and now I have a great example... I think I need to procrastinate more often lol
Varner has always been a vindictive bully. In his first season when he knew he was getting voted out he fucked up the camp so the remaining players would suffer. He’ll do anything to get what he wants and if he can’t he’ll hurt everyone in his wake
I was really glad to see this video! The last week or two Varner has been spouting a lot more transphobia on Twitter and it's been pissing me off, so it was nice to hear a trans person talk about it all after all the shit I've been seeing on Twitter.
I didn’t see the full segment the first time I heard about this. I saw a tiktok of the clip where Jeff (host Jeff) respond and basically said ‘no tribal, gtfo’. I was pleasantly surprised at the absolute shut down from the host and competitors of that. But man, seeing the clip where he says it to Zeke was rough even as a cis person. That was horrible. This was a great vid for further context and everything, thank you for making it!!! (also i don’t watch survivor much but i saw the millennials vs gen x season and stanned zeke, i didn’t even realise it was the same zeke at first glance bc it had been so long! i’m glad he seems to be doing well he was so wholesome)
God I remember hearing about this trending on Twitter and then I go onto Tumblr and I saw the clip and it literally broke my heart like I couldn’t even imagine how I would react like I just felt so heartbroken for Zeke
i will never forget the feeling in my stomach and my jaw dropping when i watched varner say that for the first time. i was so relieved everyone reacted the way they did.
The very first season of survivor was won by a gay man Richard Hatch, back in 2000, and season 15 of survivor season was also won by a gay man Todd Herzog, I would love to see other groups of the queer community win in the future
The thing that gets me about Varner is that when he was backpedaling once he realized that his "bombshell" didn't work as he planned, he says that he thought everyone already knew, right after asking why Zeke didn't tell anyone. So if you thought everyone already knew, why did you bring it up in the first place? He said he was showing the "ability for deception" or however he phrased it. But if Zeke is living as a man and everyone accepts him as a man, what deception are you trying to uncover? It's nobody's business but Zeke's. He's not trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes - he is a man, living as a man, and everyone knows him as a man. Please tell me what deception Varner was trying to uncover. It's complete bullshit, and I don't give a shit if Varner was scrambling - what he did was vile and pointless, and I don't believe a single apology he's made.
i think toast is a great name for that little cutie ❤️ and honestly zeke is probably the best representation we could ask for the first trans person on a show like survivor. so down to earth, so kind, such a swell guy overall. i dont know anything about the show, but i agree he'd probably have won without being outed.
I felt so sad for Zeke no one deserves that at all. I remember seeing this episode and I was horrified. For Varner to KNOW or at least HEARD about what happens when people are outed can be so DANGEROUS. Zeke is so strong in how he handled it. Also I went to see what Varner was doing and his twitter is quite transphobic even though he “learned” and was “sorry”
I’ve been a fan of survivor for years and when I watched that episode I cried. I have never cried over tv but that just hurt. Zeke did not deserve what happened to him.
In case you haven’t seen, Zeke spoke at this years GLAAD awards and proposed to his boyfriend on stage! It was an incredible moment and I’m so amazed at his journey from then through today
Having been in a position in which I essentially had to out myself in order to stifle rumours at work due to a coworker indirectly outing me, I could relate to this situation to a certain degree. Basically, I am out to my team but didn't make a big deal out of my identity to the other team we work with. I don't pass yet so I knew there would be rumours but I hoped people would eventually move on and lose interest because we hardly see each other. But after the incident with the coworker I spoke to my superior and decided to take back the narrative as well as to draw some firm lines by making the other team aware of the legal consequences of outing me to customers and the like. I have not received an apology and likely never will. In fact, this particular coworker went to an assistant to randomly vent about trans people. She did not mention me by name but I told the assistants my side of the story so they are aware. I know I am visibly changing but not yet changed enough for people to truly accept me as a man. But I hate how unaware people are about how vulnerable my position is. This isn't just gossip.
survivor has always been my favorite show for a long time and seeing that moment of zeke getting outed when i was in the closet was something that made me scared to come out and was a thing that made me realize even more "this is gonna be tough"
“i’m glad i got to know you as zeke, and i’ll never think of you like that” i think that was pretty sweet wording honestly, i remember hating how often people would see me as a trans person as opposed to a just a person
I remember watching this season in the midst of both my trans denial and more personal hard hitting shit in my life. I remember feeling so SO scared for Zeke during tribal-- and honestly I was shocked at how the tribe felt towards the outing situation. It made me feel more like acceptance was coming, you know? Of course I'd never wish for a Varner situation again, and what happened to Zeke was terrible. I just was so amazed at the time.
Season 42 currently has 5 out 18 contestants who identify as not straight (Chanelle, Lydia, Hai, Drea, Romeo)! A bit bigger of a breath of fresh air than usual
When you wrote that Varner got applause, I read it as “ate an apple” and was really confused as to why he would so callously eat an apple like an asshole in a movie in the middle of talking about his mistake.
