The Sexist » America’s Next Top Model

Tyra Banks Loves LGBT Community, Self

Amanda Hess — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:15:47 +0000

Has Tyra earned an award from the LGBT community?

Later this month, Tyra Banks is set to receive a GLAAD Media Award for "Excellence in Media" for her work with the LGBT community on the Tyra Banks Show and America's Next Top Model. Last year, Banks famously paid for ANTM contest (and D.C.-area local) Isis King's sex reassignment surgery.

Queers United questions whether Banks is a true ally, noting that her treatment of gay issues has sometimes bordered on the offensive: "In the past few months, the Tyra show seems to be giving a lot of airtime to debating whether sexuality can be changed, and to insinuate that orientations like bisexuality are fake," writes QU.

I'm not going to argue as to whether Banks is a "true" ally of the LGBT community. But I have to wonder: Why give Tyra an award when she's so willing to pat herself on the back?

Take this announcement for a future Tyra show:

Are you a transgender teen or young adult who was inspired by Isis, the transgender woman who appeared on “America's Next Top Model” during Cycle 11? Did Isis inspire you to come out as transgender to yourself, your family, your friends or to the entire world? Did Isis' success encourage you to pursue a modeling career or otherwise reach for a dream that you once thought was unachievable? If you are a transgender young woman who was inspired to change your life by Top Model's Isis, SUBMIT BELOW.

Oh, Tyra. Isis King is a positive role model. Highlighting transgender issues on a national platform is great. But is this show designed to appreciate King's accomplishments, or Banks' accomplishment in bringing King on her show? Isn't there any trans issue Banks could discuss that doesn't have Tyra Banks Media Empire crossover written all over it?

Photo via Wikipedia Commons.

Tyra Banks Gives Gift of Sex Reassignment

Amanda Hess — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:48:40 +0000

Tyra Banks is prepared to grant transgender America’s Next Top Model contestant Isis King the gift that keeps on giving: An all-expenses paid sex reassignment surgery. Banks will surprise King with the gift on her show tomorrow, US Weekly reports. King, the first transgender individual to compete on Banks' model show, hails from Prince George’s County, Md.

The Morning After

Amanda Hess — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:39:29 +0000

* Local transgender America's Next Top Model contestant Isis King tells the NY Post about her future goals: "[Gender reassignment surgery] is still something I need to do. Financially I haven't saved up more money since the show. And because I haven't been working, I've been living off my savings. But hopefully the jobs will come soon because that will make it easier to save and finally have my surgery. It's still at the top of my goals, the very top."

* Yesterday's Washington Post date lab, attached Michaeleen plays games with single Steve. "I never did the whole date-lots-of-people thing when I was younger. The man I am seeing is out of town, so he doesn't know about Date Lab," says Michaeleen. "I am going to tell [him]. I do believe in being honest and up front." Two weeks later, Michaeleen's boyfriend was still in the dark about Michaeleen's WaPo-funded dinner date. Until now!

* Once but a blog, now a full-fledged 'zine: The second issue of local fashion/lifestyle magazine panda head is available today.

* Brightest Young Things on last week's All-City Air Guitar Competition at Wonderland: Fenders replaced with cut-off shorts, DIO shirts, and tighty-whities.

* Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds make it official in a Canadian wedding.

* Tina Fey reprises her role as Sarah Palin on "Saturday Night Live"; Amy Poehler takes on Katie Couric:

Local Transgender Woman Will Not Be America’s Next Top Model

Amanda Hess — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:18:30 +0000

Isis King, the first transgender woman to compete to be America's Next Top Model, has been booted from the show, The Advocate reports. The 22-year-old King, "a pre-operative transgender woman," was the fifth of 14 finalists to be eliminated this season. King's exit came after a photo shoot that "required her to wear a bikini, which made her noticeably uncomfortable," writes The Advocate.

King, who hails from Prince George's County, Md., "endured mocking from some of the contestants, support from others" on the show, according to The Advocate. DCist follows up on King's next step: On November 2, she'll be honored at a Jazz Brunch held by GLBT group "Equality Maryland."

America’s Next Top Model Judge to Address Congress on Cute Issue

Amanda Hess — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:00:16 +0000

Nigel Barker, British photographer and frequent judge on Tyra Banks reality television program America's Next Top Model, will address members of Congress today on the slaughter of baby harp seals. Barker, who memorably said of one would-be Tyra, "if conceited drag queens are 'in', she's got a shot at being America's Next Top Model," counts activist seal hunt photography among his passions. Barker recently joined the Humane Society in a visit to the Canadian ice floes to "expose the cruelties of the annual seal hunt." Cruelties officially set to be exposed in the U.S. Capitol building today at 4 p.m.

Photo by Ed Kavishe at fashionwirepress.com