BET Discriminates Against Transgendered Personality B. Scott

The contentious relationship between BET and transgendered personality B. Scott continues. This time around, TMZ has obtained extensive explosive information containing emails and texts between BET executives who ordered transgender host B. Scott to change his clothes at the BET pre-show gig because of his feminine appearance.

B. Scott, a prominent figure in the LGBT community, is currently suing BET for ordering him to get rid of his blue tunic, black pants, hair, makeup and heels because they wanted the personality to look manly, even though B. Scott is out as a transgendered figure.

According to previous reports, B. Scott appeared on the BET Awards pre-show in his normal wardrobe, and then in the second segment he was asked to change his appearance that was more heteronormative for the audience. After removing his makeup and changing his clothes, he was not put back on the air for the special.

TMZ has obtained additional information that started the behavior of BET towards B. Scott. It started with BET Music Programming President Stephen Hill who wrote an e-mail before the Awards pre-show went live, detailing his specific needs concerning correspondent B. Scott, “I don’t want ‘looking like a woman B Scott.’ I want tempered B Scott.” To comply with his needs, Network VP Rhonda Cowan offered that she would suggest to B. Scott to look “less womanly” before he went on the air.

After B. Scott was told to change his clothes, the personality was obviously upset, and according to BET producer Stephanie Hodges, “said he was going to blow this s–t up and call GLAAD.” BET a network that has once cited that it “embraces global diversity” eventually apologized to B. Scott, but now that seems as a simple move in damage control, based on the e-mail written by BET’s head honcho Monique Ware, who said:

“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.”

Back in August, B. Scott spoke out about the BET lawsuit. Having identified himself as a victim of discrimination, Scott said:

“Let’s be clear — I’m suing BET and Viacom for a true public apology and to be fairly remunerated for the time lost, humiliation and emotional distress this entire situation has put me through.”

Scott is currently seeking $2.5 million in damages.

So far, BET has not commented on the on-going situation.