B. Scott and BET have Reached a Settlement

The 2-year legal battle between media personality B. Scott and BET/Viacom has come to an end. The two have reached a settlement in the gender discrimination case.

Now to flash back, this issue started when B. Scott was asked to host the BET Awards red carpet event. B. Scott was wearing an outfit that BET deemed to be "too feminine".

They forced B. Scott to change to look more masculine. That move bothered many of Scott's fans, as well as, B. Scott. Later, Scott filed a discrimination lawsuit against BET/Viacom, but a judge ruled in BET's favor, citing that the network had the right to make Scott change clothes. However, something was said and done to reach a new settlement.

B. Scott released this statement:

Dear love muffins,

After two years of a lengthy legal battle with BET/Viacom, I can say that a settlement has been reached and ‘the matter is resolved’.

It’s never an easy decision to stand up for yourself and fight for your right to be who you are. It’s something that I believe in and it’s something that I’ll always continue to defend.

In recent months we’ve witnessed transgender individuals, gender non-conforming performers, and other allies in the fight for equality receive opportunities that may not have been extended to them a few years ago.

I’m proud to say I’m part of the change. I truly hope that by walking in my truth it encourages others to be who they are. Thank you to my attorney Waukeen McCoy, my family and friends, and of course my love muffins for all of your continued support.

I must say, through it all God is so good.

As always, double kisses xoxo!

Love,

B. Scott

P.S. I can’t wait to share with you the many exciting projects I have coming up this year!

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B. Scott loses Case against BET

This is some bull...

Not too long ago, BET forced social media star B. Scott to change clothes so he'd look like a man for the BET Awards. Well, B. Scott was mortified and later sued the network for their foolishness.

They had the hearing yesterday. What I taught was an open and shut issue was totally off. The judge ruled in BET's favor and dismissed the lawsuit.

The judge said BET has the 1st Amendment right to run their projects any way they want, including forcing B. Scott to change clothes.

B. Scott wrote this statement:

It’s unfortunate that Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos presiding over today’s motion failed to consider the facts in their entirety, especially pertaining to a case as unique as this one.

It disheartens me that the message sent today wasn’t a message of acceptance, but rather it’s acceptable to discriminate against transgender individuals on the basis of their gender identity and expression – and that such discriminatory acts are protected under the first amendment.

As my attorney and I seek to appeal the judge’s decision on the motion to strike in the California Court of Appeal, we’re continuing to fight for the rights of the LGBTQ community and to remind the world that it’s ok to be who you are.
Standing up for your rights and the rights of others can be a lengthy, uphill war. When one battle is lost, another is waged and yet we must press forward.

Although I’m saddened by what today’s verdict means for myself and other members of the LGBTQ community, the struggle is not over. I will pursue progress and human rights for our community through the Appellate Court where I hope that my unique set of circumstances and BET/Viacom’s treatment of me will collectively yield active legislation to prevent anyone else from having to suffer as I have – without networks being able to disguise their unlawful discriminatory practices with vague, umbrella terms like ‘creative privilege’.

I’m committed to change, progress, human rights and equality for all, and by no means do I feel defeated. 

Thank you all for your continued support and prayers.

B. Scott plans on appeal the decision.

UPDATE: BET didn't want B.Scott "Looking Like a Woman", B.Scott responds

BET may be in some hot water with this foolishness.

TMZ has obtained some info over the B. Scott drama at the BET Awards Pre-Show. A quick recap, BET made B. Scott change his clothes because he looked too femme.

Okay, so TMZ found some emails from executives who ordered B. Scott to change, see here:

BET Music Programming Prez Stephen Hill wrote a pointed email before the show ... "I don't want 'looking like a woman B Scott.' I want tempered B Scott."

Network VP Rhonda Cowan offered help, "I can speak to him about being less 'womanly.'"

BET producer Stephanie Hodges wrote an email shortly after the broadcast, confessing, "He got upset and said he was going to blow this s**t up and call GLAAD."

From BET honcho Monique Ware:
"The spin should be he was late for a live show and subsequently replaced and it would have been awkward in a live show to have the person assuming his role removed and him inserted." It seems she's saying it would be weird for him to come back on the air as a man.

Ware goes on ... "Unless we can make public the reason we didn't want him dressed the way he normally does, I would stay away from suits, suit selections, etc."

This is so ridic and yet, I'm not surprised. I hope B.Scott sues the Hell out of them. Seriously, how dare they do this? Really, in this day and age?

These execs better get their resumes together.

UPDATE B. Scott Responds

Also READ the emails from BET execs after the jump

B. Scott on MSNBC's 'Thomas Roberts' Discussing BET Gender Identity Discrimination Lawsuit

B. Scott files Multi-Million Dollar Gender Identity Discrimination Lawsuit against BET and Viacom

Social Media personality B. Scott is taking matters into his own hands. After the mess BET put him through about his dress attire for the BET Awards, B. Scott asked for an apology. But BET gave him a half-assed apology and try to sweep it under a rug... B. Scott ain't having that.

From his blog:

While I want nothing more than to put this incident behind me and move on with my life, I still wholeheartedly believe that I’m entitled to a true public apology. BET’s non-apology statement added more insult to injury. What happened to me was not a ‘miscommunication’ nor was it ‘unintentional’. It was wrong. I have been vehemently trying to come to a resolution with BET and Viacom behind the scenes. After a few weeks of back and forth dialogue with no foreseeable resolution, I have filed a lawsuit against BET and its parent company Viacom for discrimination on the basis of gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation.

Over the years my love muffins and strangers alike have questioned me about my gender identity. What IS B. Scott? As a society we’ve been conditioned to believe that a person has to be ‘exactly’ this or ‘exactly’ that. Biologically, I am male — as my sex was determined at birth by my reproductive organs.

However, my spirit truly lies somewhere in between. It is that same spirit that has allowed me to become so comfortable in my skin, choose how I express myself, and contributes to how I live my day-to-day life.

B. Scott is coming for BET

B. Scott Rejects BET's Apology

After GLAAD forced BET to post a non-apology, B. Scott rejected it via Twitter.

.@BET's non-apology statement has added more insult to injury. It was not a 'miscommunication' and what they did to me was intentional.

— B. Scott (@lovebscott) July 2, 2013

More of us should be very bothered by BET's actions

Interesting Quote: B. Scott

As I was getting ready (hair, makeup, wardrobe), various members of the production team were in and out of my trailer making sure I had everything I needed. A producer visited my trailer as I was getting my makeup done. Another producer was there when I was getting my hair straightened. They were even there outside waiting as I was putting on the finishing touches of my outfit.

After rushing to make it to the red carpet in time, I was escorted by several members of production down to the stage. Everybody I spoke with commented on how fabulous I looked. There was never any indication that there was an issue. There was no pushback. I was simply there to do my job.

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.

B. Scott explains what happened with him and BET

BET disrespected B. Scott

Last night I learned that B. Scott, a well-know social media star, was basically told to curb his looks.

The word is that B. Scott couldn't glam up or wear heels on the Red Carpet.

Really, BET? You allow Chris Brown to bring his deranged ass on stage, but B. Scott has to change.

You let women pop and twerk in tight ass outfits, but B. Scott has to change.

Rappers can look like thugs and criminals, and cuss like sailors, but B. Scott has to change.

This is ridic and very telling about the folks producing the BET Awards. They need to think about the messages this sends. If BET told B. Scott to chill with fashion, then they are totally in the wrong. It's like they are saying that being his gay fab self is too much for the public. Too bad they are so behind the times.

If they are going to be this backwards, then maybe we need to send them a message. We need to let them know that gay folks are real and we can express ourselves in any way we want. What happened to B. Scott is unacceptable.

I'm hoping to hear more about this and to B. Scott... Stay strong.

New Video: B. Scott - Kiss, Kiss

B.Scott brings it with his new video,'Kiss, Kiss'. It's sexy, racy and a little dirty, but classy.

True B.Scott style.

Get Ready for LOS ANGELES BLACK PRIDE 2010

Los Angeles Black Pride starts this Thursday and I have to say, I'm very excited!

This is great time to meet new folks and reconnect with friends all around Southern Cali-Cal.

This week, I will giving updates on special events leading up to the At The Beach party on Saturday.

Here's a press release for the Opening Reception:

KTLA NEWS ANCHOR MICHAELA PEREIRA AND CELEBRITY RADIO SHOW HOST B. SCOTT TO CO-HOST L. A. BLACK PRIDE OPENING RECEPTION

Gala event kicks off the organization’s 22^nd annual Pride celebration

June 28, 2010 - Michaela Pereira, co-anchor of the KTLA-5’s Morning News Show in Los Angeles, will be the Mistress of Ceremony for the Opening Reception of Los Angeles Black Pride’s 22^nd annual Pride celebration on Friday, July 2^nd at the Penthouse Ballroom of the Radisson LAX Hotel. Ms. Pereira will be joined by special guest B. Scott, the internet sensation, TV personality, and newly minted radio show host, acting as celebrity co-host for the evening’s festivities.

The Opening Reception will serve as the official kick-off party for LABP 2010, bringing together elected officials, celebrities and other distinguished members and allies of the LGBT community. Guests of the cocktail soiree will be treated to a special musical performance by R&B/Soul singer Will Wheaton, amidst artwork provided by local LGBT artists participating in LABP’s community partner event, Soulful Salon.

During the evening, the Emmy Award-winning Pereira will present recognition awards on behalf of LABP to the organization’s key sponsors, The David Bohnett Foundation and AIDS Healthcare Foundation. The two foundations are vital members of the Los Angeles community and are being recognized for providing generous financial and social support to LABP and its causes.

As co-host, Mr. Scott will speak to guests on his support of LABP for its important role in the African-American LGBT community, sharing his personal experiences of LABP and how LABP has uniquely impacted his life as a member of Los Angeles' A-A LGBT community.

Thousands of people are expected to attend LABP’s week-long (July 1 – 5, 2010) schedule of events, highlighted by the organization’s famous At The Beach Unity Celebration, being held the following day at Malibu’s Point Dume Beach. From Manhattan to Mississippi and beyond, people from all over the country make the trek each year to the celebrated event to enjoy an eclectic mix of music, food and beach activities under the sun. LABP is recognized annually as a major public event by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, generating thousands of dollars in revenue for Los Angeles County as an integral part of Los Angeles’ travel and tourism.

For more information about attending the LABP Opening Reception and other LABP 2010 events, go to www.atbla.com.

For more info, contact Erik Jason, Media Committee Chair at media@atbla.com

Get Excited!

Morehouse College host their 1st GAY Pride Week!

I'm shocked the premier HBCU, Morehouse College, held their 1st Gay Pride Week.

And I'm even more shocked they challenged themselves and invited the media diva, B. Scott, as a guest speaker.

See here:

MULTIMEDIA MAVEN B. SCOTT TO SPEAK AT MOREHOUSE’S FIRST-EVER GAY PRIDE WEEK
B. Scott will be sitting on “Out & in the Spotlight” panel

(Atlanta, GA, March 22, 2010)—March 23, 2010 marks Morehouse College’s first-ever Gay Pride Week. To commemorate this historic event, B. Scott, famous gay African-American TV/Radio personality and Internet sensation, will be speaking on Tuesday, March 23 on the “Out & in the Spotlight” panel.

WHAT: The “Out & in the Spotlight” panel is one part of the week long PRIDE WEEK, hosted by Safe Space, a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organization that openly addresses the issues of homophobia, hegemonic dispositions, racism, sexism and gender construction. Scott will be discussing his experiences as being an out gay out man in the entertainment industry; the importance of loving and accepting oneself; and how being gender non-conforming—not adhering to society’s rules about dress and activities for people that are based on their sex—has shown the need to help expand society’s views of what being LGBT is in this country.

WHO: B. Scott is a TV/Radio personality and Internet sensation. Hundreds of thousands of viewers tune into his YouTube partner channel, www.youtube.com/lovebscott and log onto his website, lovebscott.com to hear his witty, fun and lively commentary on his personal experiences, current happenings and celebrity gossip and to see the latest episode of THE B. SCOTT SHOW. Bringing an infectious personality and outspoken nature, B. Scott has achieved much of his success by directly connecting with his love muffins (the name he uses for his fans) and his achievements have allowed him to gain interviews with celebrities such as Mariah Carey, Jordin Sparks, Nene Leakes, Ne-Yo and Ashanti. B. recently branched out into television, appearing on such shows as TV One Access Hollywood and Extra. For more information about B. Scott visit www.lovebscott.com.

WHERE: Morehouse’s African-American Hall of Fame (the upper level of The Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel on the Campus of Morehouse College); 830 Westview Dr Sw
Atlanta, Georgia 30314.

I will post more on this very soon.

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Interesting Quote: B. Scott

Well, there’s so much negativity out there, especially amongst the gays. We’re so often put in the position of critiquing other people — that’s what a lot of people expect from our community — and I want to represent something else. I want to be a breath of fresh air. I also feel like the negativity card isn’t one that I have to play. I think a lot of people play that card because they have to — they don’t have anything else to offer, they don’t have any other talent than the talent for breaking someone down.

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