A Los Angeles judge dismissed B. Scott’s case against BET for discrimination saying the music channel was within their First
Amendment rights to ask the transgender host to change clothes. B. Scott, named as Brandon Sessoms in the complaint, asked to receive $2.5 million from the network and parent company Viacom for mistreatment.
In the ruling, a judge said that the channel is within their Freedom of Speech rights to decide the appearance of their employees. Furthermore, the court would have trouble “policing” this behavior.
“It disheartens me that the message sent today wasn’t a message of acceptance, but rather it’s acceptable to discriminate against transgender individuals on the basis of their gender identity and expression – and that such discriminatory acts are protected under the first amendment,” B. Scott said in response to the verdict.
Scott’s attorney Waukeen McCoy remains optimistic that the lawsuit will receive a favorable outcome on appeal comparing the unique situation to that of the gay marriage cases in California.
The media personality detailed his experience as style correspondent for the pre-show at the 2013 BET Awards in an open letter. After receiving approval of his look from producers of the network, he was “yanked backstage” and told his look “wasn’t acceptable” during the broadcast. Producers instructed him to remove makeup and change into men’s clothing. He agreed to make the change but was later replaced by singer Adrienne Bailon on the red carpet. An e-mail trail allegedly sent between an executive at BET surrounding the incident stated, ”I don’t want ‘looking like a woman’ B. Scott.”
The transgender host said, “We’re continuing to fight for the rights of the LGBTQ community and to remind the world that it’s OK to be who you are.” Fans and supporters of the TV personality showed their support and thanks through social media. “You may not have ‘won’ today @lovebscott but you represent and stand for so many of us, thank you!” a supporter tweeted.
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