advocate

It was a shocking moment on Wednesday night’s episode of Survivor, CBS’s long-running reality show about strangers marooned in a deserted location.
A gay contestant, Jeff Garner, in order to save himself from elimination, turned to another contestant and asked, “Why haven’t you told anyone you are transgender?”
In this moment, Garner had outed a trans person, Zeke Smith, on national television, accusing Smith of « deception » in front of the other members of the Tribal Council.
The act backfired on Garner. The other contestants, rightly outraged by what had transpired, voted him off the island for his dastardly deed.
Nick Adams, director of GLAAD’s Transgender Media Program, spoke out against the outing in a statement.
“Zeke Smith, and transgender people like him, are not deceiving anyone by being their authentic selves, and it is dangerous and unacceptable to out a transgender person,” he said.
“It is heartening, however, to see the strong support for Zeke from the other people in his tribe. Moments like this prove that when people from all walks of life get to know a transgender person, they accept us for who we are.”
Likewise, LGBT folks on Twitter were disgusted by what Garner had done. They outlined why outing a trans person is dangerous and unforgivable, and expressed admiration for how the group and Smith handled the ordeal.
See their reactions below.
Outing a transgender person is an act of violence. #Survivor
Let’s not erase that this was a GAY man that outed a trans man on national television. Queer people are transphobic offenders too #Survivor
.@JEFFVARNER I hope everything you touch turns to ash. https://www.buzzfeed.com/jimdalrympleii/a-transgender-man-was-outed-on-survivor-by-another?bftw&utm_term=.hq5pbx1j0O#.jrjk2v6da7 … pic.twitter.com/70f7c165op
.@JEFFVARNER White gay men’s willingness to betray other queer people when it suits their ambitions and self-interests drives me UP THE WALL.
Last night Zeke handled himself with an astounding amount of class in a situation where most would crumble. I’m still in awe. #Survivor
✔@MsIsisKingI remember when I was outted as trans on top model by a semi finalist…not a good feeling, its never someone’s place to do! Go #ZekeSmith
#survivor is 1 of my favorite shows. I’m in tears @zekerchief my hat’s off to you. Thank you for sharing. Even if it wasnt your choice
#Shinebright like a @zekerchief!Proud! thank u 4 turning a hard situation in2 a inspirational example! @survivorcbs#SurvivorGameChangers
dear @zekerchief Inspiring. I think you probably just made a bunch of kids out there feel empowered and a little less scared. Well handled.
We cannot control the hazards we face, we can only control how we respond. Love each other. #Survivor #Zekevivor
When the episode aired, Varner posted an apology to Twitter.