PHOTO CREDIT: Ebony.com
UPDATE — 7/02/13: BET issued the following statement claiming that the incident with celebrity blogger B. Scott was a matter of miscommunication and they regret any offense caused to him or the broader LGBTQ community:
“BET Networks embraces global diversity in all its forms and seeks to maintain an inclusive workforce and a culture that values all perspectives and backgrounds,” the statement read. “The incident with B. Scott was a singular one with a series of unfortunate miscommunications from both parties. We regret any unintentional offense to B. Scott and anyone within the LGBT community and we seek to continue embracing all gender expressions.”
Scott addressed the incident in an open letter on his blog, Love B. Scott, writing in part:
“I feel as though at the last minute that someone at BET wasn’t comfortable with someone like me,” he writes. “It’s not just about the fact that BET forced me to pull my hair back, asked me to take off my makeup, made me changed my clothes and prevented me from wearing a heel. It’s more so that from the mentality and environment created by BET made me feel less than and that something was wrong with who I am as a person.”
Scott has not publicly responded to BET’s statement.
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Beloved multi-media maven, B. Scott, was allegedly told by Black Entertainment Television (BET) that he couldn’t wear high heels to host the 2013 BET Awards pre-show red carpet, and infuriated fans have taken to social media to demand an apology on behalf of the gender-bending internet celebrity.
RELATED: 5 Memorable Moments From The 2013 BET Awards [VIDEO]
Credit: LipstickAlley.com
Since news of the discriminatory decision began to circulate around #BlackTwitter, droves of fans have voiced their support for the androgynous mega-personality, including A-List couple, Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe:
"@lovebscott: and your hubs @BorisKodjoe was so nice 2me even though he could tell I was going THROUGH it." Yr so beautiful inside and out.—
nicole ari parker (@nicolearip) July 01, 2013
Scott also received support from Procter & Gamble:
My TRUE saving grace was the Procter & Gamble consultant, who said: "We at P&G do not support what they are doing to you."—
B. Scott (@lovebscott) July 01, 2013
With BET being known for its hypersexualized and inappropriate award shows, it is laughable that they would choose to exhibit misplaced morality when it comes to B. Scott.
This is, after all, a show which featured R. Kelly ( an alleged pedophile who enjoys urinating on minor girls), coming from a network which regularly rewards misogyny, violence and sexism. In award shows past, they allowed rapper Lil’ Wayne to perform ‘I Wish I Could F*ck Every Girl In The World’ with underage girls (we’re talking 11- or 12-years old) shimmying across the stage.
This is a network that segues from the pulpit to ‘p**sy poppin’ without blinking an eye — Hallelujah, now pass the collection plate so I can get 1 dollar bills for Nicki Minaj’s performance – but a gay man wearing high heels is inappropriate?
BET likes to claim ‘We Got You,’ but apparently not if you’re a gender non-conforming man with a fierce shoe game.
The network has yet to acknowledge the situation or issue an apology; however, if they have a modicum of class, it won’t be long before they do.
It is 2013. This kind of blatant homoantagonistic discrimination is unacceptable and should not be tolerated.
Twitter reacts to B. Scott controversy:
Why wouldn't BET let @lovebscott wear heels? Not cool. #scotusmoreliberalthanbet—
Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) July 01, 2013
You're beautiful. @lovebscott—
dream hampton (@dreamhampton) July 01, 2013
ignore us… trust God and go with that… one Rt @lovebscott I wasn't going to say anything but my spirit is truly hurt.—
Black Canseco (@BlackCanseco) July 01, 2013
BET did a solid job on the awards… but the @lovebscott stuff is really wack on their part.—
Jermaine Spradley (@MrSpradley) July 01, 2013
So BET insisted that @lovebscott take off her heels/tone down her look before she could go on air tonight? On Pride weekend? #BETstayslosing—
jay smooth (@jsmooth995) July 01, 2013
I need someone at @BET, preferably Debra Lee, to issue @lovebscott an apology for the gender policing he received today. #BETawards—
(@Anti_Intellect) July 01, 2013
But about this BScott BET thing. Is it really that simple? I wanna know. I can't imagine they'd do that b/c the backlash would be huge.—
Awesomely Luvvie (@Luvvie) July 01, 2013
@lovebscott I have been with you since you were checking out Mr Moore honey….True Fan…. keep ur pretty head up…..Double Kisses! Muah—
Marlette Boales (@WeekendGirl74) July 01, 2013
Wait. A. Minute. @BET had the audacity to INVITE @LoveBScott to be a host at the @BETAwards pre-show, but then censored his look?!—
Damone, I AM. (@DamoneWilliams_) July 01, 2013
BET is suppose to be about empowering all black people yet they brought @lovebscott down like that ? Deb Lee im disappointed.—
July21 (@MssTian) July 01, 2013
BET ‘Regrets’ B. Scott ‘Miscommunication’: ‘We Embrace All Gender Expressions’ was originally published on newsone.com
