Former talk show host and FOX contributor Dr. Keith Ablow tells RumorFix exclusively he isn’t trying to “bully” Chaz Bono.
The controversial psychiatrist made headlines this week saying, “Don’t let your kids watch Chaz Bono on Dancing with the Stars.“
Ablow tells RumorFix, “As somebody who was bullied myself that’s the last thing in the world that I would do in any frivolous way to pick on somebody.”
PICTURES: Chaz Bono “Dancing With The Stars” Season 13 Shocker!!
Dr. Ablow, who at different times during the interview called Chaz “he” and “she,” tells RumorFix, “My point isn’t that these folks should be persecuted. My point is that when you are a person with an illness and you present it as a badge of honor and you convince people that your illness is a triumph — you get me pissed.”
Well, Dr. Ablow, we guarantee you just pissed off a lot of people with that last comment. First of all, people — like Chaz — who have struggled with feeling like they are in the wrong body don’t believe it’s an illness, neither do many of your colleagues in the medical field.
PICTURES: Chaz Bono Picks Up Pain Relief Patches After First Rehearsal
Secondly, we’re told the main reason Chaz is doing DWTS is to educate people and change some laws.
For instance, in Alaska a transgender woman is suing the DMV for denying her of a driver’s license that accurately reflects her gender identity.
Although Dr. Ablow tells us that the plight of the transgender population isn’t a civil rights issue, he did say, “it’s ridiculous” that transgenders can’t get driver’s licenses in some states.
But the majority of Dr. Ablow’s comments are controversial — even longtime buddy, Howard Stern, says Ablow’s off his “f**king rocker.”
Ablow’s response:
“I love Howard Stern. If he thinks I’m off my rocker, as in the past I will counsel him so that he can elevate his thinking in line with reality. I’ve helped him before, I helped him before he got married and his marriage is solid — as far as I know and I’ll help him again.”
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Although the doctor isn’t backing down on his statements, he admits, “I’m sure there are elements of Chaz Bono that I would like. And I would be the first one up in arms fighting like a mad man if someone said, ‘Chaz Bono should not be allowed to register for school, ‘Chaz Bono should not be allowed to display painting that Chaz has done,’ I would say ‘No you misunderstood my point. My point is ‘Please don’t promote your disorder in a public relations campaign.’”
But, we’ve got to ask: “Doesn’t Chaz have the right to be Chaz?”
