HRC complaint: “David Letterman Show” joke about transgender “panic” encourages prejudice [video]
”In a skit during Letterman’s opening monologue, the host announced Simpson’s historic appointment and revealed that she is transgender, displaying a photograph of her. The show’s announcer, Alan Kalter, then feigned ‘trans panic,’ implying he had some prior relationship with Simpson but was not aware of her gender history, and ran yelling from the stage…. ‘You may not be aware that the punch line in your skit has been used as a defense in nearly every hate crime perpetrated against transgender people that has come to trial…. Your skit affirmed and encouraged a prejudice against transgender Americans that keeps many from finding jobs, housing, and enjoying freedoms you and your writers take for granted every day. We ask that you apologize publicly to Ms. Simpson and the transgender community for this unfortunate episode.”’
Outtakes from a public letter by Allyson Robinson at the Human Right Campaign to the to CBS network and the David Letterman Show. Her complaint is in reference to a monologue routine in which the show’s announcer, Alan Kalter, blurted out, “What! Amanda? Amanda used to be a dude?! Oh, my God! Oh, my God!” and ran off stage when Letterman displayed a photo of Amanda Simpson. When President Obama appointed Ms. Simpson as an Advisor at the end of December, she very likely became the first transgendered woman placed into such a prominent position by a US President. (HRC)
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
