Survivor Contestant Zeke Smith Outed As Transgender by Contestant Jeff Varner On The Show

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Survivor fans react to one contestant being outed as transgender during the show…
Survivor contestant Zeke Smith revealed he’s transgender after a fellow contestant outed him on the show…
Zeke Smith’s fellow tribe member, Jeff Varner, shockingly outed him on the show during last night’s tribal council. Knowing that he was probably going to be sent home this week, an angry and bitter Jeff chose to reveal personal information about Zeke, saying in front of the entire council QUOTE, "There is deception here. Deceptions on levels that these guys don't even understand.” Jeff then turned directly to Zeke and said QUOTE, “Why haven't you told anyone that you're transgender?" It was a completely unnecessary and cowardly move that forced Zeke to confirm his transgender status to the world, which he had not done in the 2 seasons he has been on the show. Jeff was immediately kicked off the show without a council vote, but the damage had already been done.
After the reveal, Zeke wrote a lengthy exclusive column for The Hollywood Reporter to discuss his journey as a transgender man, and why he didn’t reveal his transgender status himself. He explained QUOTE, “I didn’t discuss my trans status in my initial video because I wanted the show to desire me as a game player and an eccentric storyteller, not as “The First Trans Survivor Player”. He also discussed why the way Jeff outed him was so inappropriate and dangerous, writing QUOTE, “...in calling me deceptive, Varner invoked one of the most odious stereotypes of transgender people, a stereotype that is often used as an excuse for violence and even murder. In proclaiming “Zeke is not the guy you think he is” and that “there is deception on levels y’all don’t understand,” Varner is saying that I’m not really a man and that simply living as my authentic self is a nefarious trick. In reality, by being Zeke the dude, I am being my most honest self — as is every other transgender person going about their daily lives.”
As for Jeff, he has since apologized for outing Zeke in his own statement on twitter, that read in part QUOTE, “I offer my deepest, most heart-felt apologies to Zeke Smith, his friends and life allies, his family and to all those who my mistake hurt and offended...Let me be clear, outing someone is assault. It robs a strong, courageous person of their power and protection and opens them up to discrimination and danger.” Yup, that’s exactly right, Jeff. It’s just a shame you didn’t realize that BEFORE outing a transgender person on national television.
As for the fans, it was clear from the moment the outing happened that everyone was on Zeke’s side and ready to offer him words of support. One fan wrote QUOTE, “Zeke, you're the epitome of a man with integrity. I'm sure that had to be rough but I commend how you handled the #TribalCounsel”, while another shared their strong feelings about Jeff, writing “No one should be outed on national television like that. Jeff Varner, you are F I L T H.”
All in all, the biggest takeaway from the dramatic moment was that Zeke is a man with integrity who handled being outed as transgender on national TV with class and strength. So we’ll just wait right here for Zeke to be offered his own spin-off reality show, meanwhile Jeff may have just been voted off television for good.
So what do you guys think of Jeff outing Zeke, and Zeke’s response? Let me hear all your opinions in the comments below! Thanks so much for tuning in, I’m your host Ryland Adams and I’ll see you next time!
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