Carmen Carrera & Trans Peeps Dissed on TLC’s Cake Boss!

Last nights episode featuring Carmen Carrera turns Jerry Springer-esque

Keywords: carmen carrera transgender, cake boss, tlc

My favorite transgender person in the whole world (and not-so-secret-crush) is Carmen Carrera, from  RuPaul’s Drag Race. Carmen was on the show as a man but has recently come out as transitioning. (Check out the earlier wePRIDEny.com posts about the lovely, amazing Miss Carmen.) Now that Carmen is undergoing her process, she is also bravely appearing on television shows, spreading the word about the transgender community.

Last night the beautiful Carmen was on TLC’s Cake Boss – and it did not turn out as Carmen planned. According to her Facebook page (where she looks SO FIERCE!)…

” I’m really trying to be a positive role model for trans people and it upsets me that after I SPECIFICALLY asked the producers of “Cake Boss” NOT to disrespect me or trans people. Before I agreed to do this show, I was assured and then reassured that it wasn’t going to be like the JERRY SPRINGER show or MAURY. Let me make this clear. CALLING A TRANSGENDER WOMAN A MAN IS WRONG. Period. Its degrading, its rude, and its very hurtful. I may not have been born a woman, but im NOT a man. I told them I would mind if they said “born male” or “was a male”. After taking this journey its not fair at all to be lied to by the producers. PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG. EDUCATE AND PROMOTE EQUALITY AND RESPECT!!!!!!! “

So it turns out that in an episode where Carmen was supposed to normalize transgender people, she was instead lied to as the butt of an ignorant and hurtful joke. Doesn’t TLC see that this move could potentially kill many trans people who are struggling with themselves? Don’t they see that Carmen is amazing, beautiful, talented and REAL? (okay, maybe I’m biased because I’m kind of in love with her.)

She looks just like an around the way girl from my hood! Ugh, I LOVE her!

Carmen is so upset, and calling for mobilization on her Facebook page, which wePRIDEny.com is happy to help with! Check out the petition on change.org that Carmen has going - sign it, pass it on and tell Carmen and the trans community that we support and love you! Here’s some info from the petition…

The plot of the episode was to use Carmen to lure one of the bakery’s employees to flirt with her as a prank. Before filming, Carmen educated producers on what terms to use and what phrases would not be offensive, i.e. “Carmen was BORN male” or “Carmen is a transgendered woman”. Producers AGREED to respect her wishes, however, when the show aired it was a blatant “THAT’S A MAN” moment – very reminiscent of (trashy) shows like Jerry Springer or Maury.

This type of ignorance should not be allowed.

There are people around the world who kill themselves because of gender identity disorder. There are people who are bullied, tormented and feel indifferent every single day. This episode brought Carmen Carrera to tears because she does NOT want any part of a program that promotes such ignorance and miseducation.

Please, fight for the rights and the RESPECT of PEOPLE. Not just the trans community but for everyone, equally.

Sign the petition today and tell Carmen we support her!

P.S. – Carmen – call me! I love you! Hehe!