On VH1’s Daytime Divas, the first transgender host of the fictional daytime talk show “The Lunch Hour” was introduced, played by real life transgender actress and activist Janet Mock. Her appearance was used as an opportunity for the Christian host, Heather (Fiona Gubelmann), to be humbled and confess that her young child is transgender.
As written about in other pieces, the show cannot resist the urge to portray the Christian character as a hypocrite or on the fringes instead of a devout, loving person of faith.
In the episode titled “Truth’s a Mutha” that aired on July 17, Heather discovers that Brad, Jr./Elle is not using the restroom at school because he/she is uncomfortable using the boy’s restroom and not allowed to use the girl’s restroom. Sound familiar? It’s an easy swipe at states passing laws on this issue, which comes up again later.
When Janet Mock shows up, Heather takes the opportunity to question her about being transgender. But she makes the mistake of denying that she’s asking so many questions because of insecurity of her own sexuality and declares that she is a “real girl.” Janet quickly says that she is just as real. Right.
Maxine: Sorry for the interruption but sometimes our "Lunch Hour" fans simply can't control themselves.
Kibby: Sometimes obsession is just another form of flattery.
Maxine: Well, one that we could do without. But while we're on the topic of obsession Janet, your book is amazing.
Janet: Ah, thank you. Girl lives for a good plug.
Maxine: "Redefining Realness" is such a great title-
Heather: So, when did you know that you were a girl?
Janet: Oh, Heather, I've always known I was a girl.
Nina: Exactly, because like you said and—
Heather: So, do you have a lot of friends? I mean, I mean, from your, your community.
Janet: I have friends from lots of communities.
Kibby: I think it's interesting that you talked about the misconceptions that people have—
Heather: I'm so sorry, I don't mean to be intrusive but it's so fascinating to me. So, when did you change uh...physically?
Janet: My goodness, Heather, judging by all the questions you have it sounds like you're working through your own gender issues.
Heather: Oh, no, no, no, no, I'm definitely a real girl.
Janet: Just as real as you are, girl. Except you're a real idiot.
Maxine: And we'll be right back.
Janet calls Heather "a real idiot" because she used a description that Janet didn’t approve of when describing herself. How tolerant!
Naturally Heather received a lot of blowback on social media from the LGBT activists - “You pissed off a transperson, your career is basically over” – and as well as the other hosts – one unfavorably compares her to former North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory. She speaks to the women before they all go on set and confesses that her son is trans and suddenly all is forgiven.
Heather: Janet, before we go out there, there's just there's something that I need to say.
Janet: No need. I got your number.
Heather: No, you don't. You really, you really don't have my number. I know that I was asking you a lot of questions, but... ...It's not because I'm judging you.
Kibby: You're totally judging.
Heather: I'm not judging.
Maxine: Ladies.
Kibby: Please, you beat out the governor of North Carolina for transphobe of the year.
Heather: I'm not transphobic. I'm not. My son is... Well, I guess that he's my daughter. She's my daughter. She's a...a trans.
Kibby: Brad Junior?
Heather: Ella.
Janet: Oh, Heather. It's the first time you said it out loud.
Heather: Yes.
Female announcer: "The Lunch Hour" starts now. And here they are, Maxine, Kibby, Heather and special guest co-host Janet Mock.
Ramona: We're short a co-host, so watch the wide.
Maxine: 'Hello and welcome...'
Ramona: Shawn's not here, someone has to step up and I'm head PA.
Maxine: Heather, is there something you'd like to say?
Heather: Thank you. Yesterday, I made some thoughtless comments that were, uh...offensive.
Janet: Look, if people get so tripped up about how to talk about things, no one will talk about anything. Mistakes happen. It's okay to be trans-ignorant. It's never okay to be transphobic.
It always goes back to transphobia, doesn’t it? Even if someone sincerely asks questions or simply questions someone’s decisions then immediately that person is transphobic… right up until the moment you find out their son is transgender.
With such a miniscule population, it seems to me that transgender activists would be better understood if they showed as much tolerance as they demand of others.
