BET Formally Apologizes For Forcing Blogger To Change Feminine Clothing
On Sunday, in the middle of the BET Awards, we announced that blogger B.Scott was allegedly asked to change his feminine clothing, in order to host as a style correspondent on the red carpet. The blogger recounted the story in detail, writing:
After interviewing AJ Calloway for my first segment I was literally yanked backstage and told that my look from head to toe “wasn’t acceptable.” They asked me to pull my hair back, they asked me to change my attire. Let’s be clear, I wasn’t wearing a ball gown and stiletto heels. I was wearing long pants, and a long shirt. I was returned to my trailer and forced to change into one of the other outfits while other producers waited outside. I changed quickly and returned to set, only to be told that I had been replaced by Adrienne Bailon and wouldn’t be going on at all. I was hurt. I am hurt. I feel as though at the last minute that someone at BET wasn’t comfortable with someone like me. It’s not just about the fact that BET forced me to pull my hair back, asked me to take off my makeup, made me changed my clothes and prevented me from wearing a heel. It’s more so that from the mentality and environment created by BET made me feel less than and that something was wrong with who I am as a person.
It appears that the network has had a change of heart. They have released the following statement:
BET Networks embraces global diversity in all its forms and seeks to maintain an inclusive workforce and a culture that values all perspectives and backgrounds. The incident with B. Scott was a singular one with a series of unfortunate miscommunications from both parties. We regret any unintentional offense to B. Scott and anyone within the LGBT community and we seek to continue embracing all gender expressions.
What are your thoughts on the matter? Should BET have apologized and is their apology sufficient? Or were they justified in having B.Scott change his attire?