Hit US reality show America’s Next Top Model, hosted by Tyra Banks, is to include a transgendered contestant within the forthcoming series. In the show fourteen models compete against each other to win a lucrative modelling contract. The trans competitor is 22 year old Isis from Maryland. Isis was born anatomically male but now lives her life as a woman. Pauline Park of NYAGRA (the New York Association for Gender Rights Advocacy) praised the decision to include a trans model within the line-up:

Including a Transgendered model on the show represents a significant step forward for America’s Next Top Model and for the Transgender Community and its visibility. We in NYAGA applaud Tyra Banks and the CW for setting an example of inclusion that other TV programs would do well to emulate.

Unfortunately, despite the praise that the programme makers have received, Fox News anchor Gregg Jarrett made various insulting and offensive comments about the selection in an interview with ‘Us Weekly’ magazine editor Ian Drew. Both men used offensive language and accused the programme-makers of using Isis to gain publicity for the show.

Download an episode of America’s Next Top Model featuring Isis’ story from iTunes.

Following numerous protests from trans-advocacy organisations both Fox News and ‘Us Weekly’ have issued apologies for the comments.

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