Katelynn Cusanelli of The Real World Brooklyn may be to Transgender awareness what Pedro Zamora was for both AIDS and Homosexual understanding on the same show 15 years earlier, was my impression after watching the first episode of the 21st Real World season.
The Real World Brooklyn premiered on Wednesday January 7th, 2009 at 10pm as MTV reported the show was #1 of the entire day for 12 to 34 year olds with a 2.3 rating, reaching almost 2.3 million viewers.
MTV went on to report that the debut provided the strongest Wednesday rating for the 12 to 34 year old viewers since the Summer of 2007 beating The Real World Hollywood premiere by 6%.
I was impressed by the first episode of the Brooklyn season as for the first in a long time there was a FILM cast.
- Functional
- Intelligent
- Likable
- Mature
I have worked with all previous Real World cast members, booking them for appearances, but as of recent years I barely, if ever, watch the show as I felt it was a constant rewind of the same ol same ol – drink, hookup, and argue.
I am 33 now, so after watching and enjoying the show in college, stomaching to watch the seasons lately my mind constantly echoes the line from the Adam Sandler movie Billy Madison :
“What ‘I’ just ’saw’ is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever ‘seen’. At no point in ’this show was there’ anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone ’watching’ is now dumber for having ’seen’ it”
So I was skeptical and apprehensive to watch the first Brooklyn season episode, especially as I know all the background information, but I wanted to see if it really went back to its “roots”.
I have to admit it did feel like the “old” pre Las Vegas show as everyone seemed likable without any of the cast trying to play to the cameras and coming off “cartoonish”.
My biggest fear was that Bunim-Murray Productions was making a desperation ratings ploy by throwing in a transgender for shock value only.
Kate impressed me immensely with her true intelligence, introspective, maturity, and most importantly to overcome global bias - likability.
These are all traits Pedro had and it opened my eyes back then and Kate is doing that now as I dont know ANY transgendered people and am completely ignorant to understanding the community.
I made the mistake when I posted about The Real World Brooklyn cast back in September 2008 calling Kate an IT.
I was deservedly blasted for that in the post comments, as Ryan was in the first episode of the show this week.
My opinion is that for most people the mental picture of transgendered people comes from late night HBO prostitute documentaries and thus the association of being dirty, immoral, and disturbed becomes wired.
Do you feel Kate’s demeanor on The Real World will rewire the general public’s perception of transgendered people as Pedro did for the AIDS & LGBT community?
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{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
Why the hell do you think it necessary to put up Katelynns old name? What purpose did that serve? It infuriates me that, for some reason, ever time there is an article about a trans person, the press HAS to include a reference to their old name, no matter how long ago it was changed. Why don’t you include other peoples name changes as well, such as women’s maiden names, or even men who change their name for hollywood purposes.
I can’t understand it. It makes me sad for her, and for every trans person, who has to put up with that.
@ Mak,
I think its valid to put her previous name for clarity, unless she states she does not want it disclosed – which to my knowledge she hasnt declared.
I would do the same for married couples such as when Danny & Melinda were married, but surprisingly Melinda did NOT change her last name to Jamieson.
@chris…I know your comments in your column were quite positive, so I want to give you props for that but…
“I think its valid to put…”
For what reason? Clarity? What does that mean? Are there people out there that need to know what her previous name was? If so, who? How long does she need to live with her new name so that she doesn’t have to DECLARE that her old name is off limits every time it comes up? Does she need to put that to you in writing?
Thats bogus and you know it.
Its salacious; nothing more. It brings out the “previously MALE” in the story just a little bit more.
And no, you wouldn’t do the same for married couples, and you know it. You wouldn’t, for example, say Melinda Jamieson, formerly Melinda Whatever. Why? Because its NORMAL for a woman to want to take the guys name, so there’s no need to backtrack on it like you do, for someone like Katelynn.
(and why is it surprising that a woman doesn’t want to change her name to her husbands name anyway?)
@ I mean Michael…
Couple of other points…
Its not a LIFESTYLE. Get that? She doesn’t put it on in the morning and take it off at night. Its who she IS. She can’t change it at the whim of fashion. Its not something you buy at Macy’s because it looks like fun. A lifestyle is a choice, your gender identity isn’t.
Oh…and another thing…/
Quit calling trans people “transgenders”. They are transgendered people.
I know you were trying to be positive, and I appreciate that, but get educated before you start making comments that include this kind of stuff.
Really.
@ Mak,
I stand corrected on the terminology I used in the post.
I made corrections as you advised due to my lack of education in this matter although I am open to understanding.
@Mak,
I am assuming you are referencing me as my name is Michael not Chris – (I am not sure if that was an intended pun on the whole proper naming thing)
I understand we have differing views as I won’t belittle yours so we can simply agree to disagree.
I would not “out” Kate’s previous name as I only displayed it here since its been released in various news articles, assumably with her acknowledgement and permission.
Kate has the means to contact me and I would respect her wishes if she would want me to remove it.
FYI – She has a public journal which I find really well thought out and insightful – http://indigochildkate.livejournal.com/
@Michael Martin,
It is common courtesy in the transgendered community to not disclose previous names. it’s difficult to wrap one’s head around, but Kate (for example) as a male did not ever exist. She has always been a female, thus, past names are off-limits. That name has no significance nor is it any of our business. The same rationale holds true with the need to specify pre or post-operative. Why the dichotomy? many men and women who are transgendered never feel the need to have surgery. Also, how would you like it if people felt comfortable asking you about your genitals? It is simple not appropriate or relevant to who they are as a person.
Dude…since when does using someone’s previous name need permission from them, or even acknowledgment? Why would you assume it was given? Just because it appears in print elsewhere? Isn’t it possible those that did that are ALSO insulting her by doing so?
My point is…every time there is an article about a transitioned person, it is ALWAYS accompanied by their previous male name, as if its somehow relevant to who they are now. Here’s a hint: Its not.
Think of it this way. If you were called Chris, but are now Mike, wouldn’t it bother you that years later, people referred to you as Chris? Wouldn’t it bother you that every time someone posted an article about your agency, they wrote “Michael, who used to be known as Chris”…It would tick you off, wouldn’t it?
Now, think about it from Katelynn’s POV…how would you feel if you’ve gone through the process she has, (and the pain she has suffered), only to find that every time someone writes about you, they include a reference to what you used to be; to what GROSSED you out?
I don’t mean to go off on you like this…because the issue is larger than you. It happens in the media ALL the time, and its damn insulting.
(Oh…and BTW, do you really think that she needs to WRITE you to have you treat her fairly?)
Come on Michael. You can do better.
And yea…I know about her journal. Thanks for the reference though.
*claps*
Thanks Mike…
I edited it as Kate directly contacted me, stating the following:
“Mike,
It’s Katelynn from RW: Brooklyn. I was reading over your latest post and I honestly have to give you kudos on the verbage and language used; overall it was positive and I thank you for that. That being said, the previous outlets (vevmo, etc) that used my previous name have taken it down and I would appreciate it if you would do the same on this post and on ‘The Real World Brooklyn Cast Gets Transgendered’ post.
I appreciate your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Katelynn Cusanelli”
Mak,
I just want to say that you are smart, charasmatic and apparently quite outgoing. If you happen to be a TS woman yourself, I would love to hear from you. This not a sleazy pick up move, but rather a man who found you attractive (and not just in the physical sense) I think that I would enjoy talking to you, even if it goes nowhere. Please drop me a line (as I have no way to contact you) at friedfishonbread@yahoo.com
Thanks,
ROCK
NYC
I gotta agree with Mak here, I think. Would you refer to Muhammad Ali as formerly Cassius Clay? He’s Muhammad Ali. He took a ton of crap for changing his name, and knew he would, but did it anyway because it was important to him.
It is up to the listener to determine what is and is not an insult, and I can guarantee you that almost every transsexual person you come across who has changed their name will take offense at having their old name brought up previous to every public reference.
To put it succinctly, former names are “opt in” not “opt out.” If you’re not looking to offend, it’s best to ask FIRST, as it’s easier than having to retract or apologize.
Mike…not to be a stickler for detail, but you still have a reference to Katelynn’ old name on your Real World Brooklyn front page. Perhaps you could take that down as well?
http://www.mm-agency.com/mtv-real-world-brooklyn/
Hello Michael,
I have notice that you have updated the Blog. How about the rest of the website Now. Your page http://www.mm-agency.com/mtv-real-world-brooklyn/
still has the old name. I would also suggest checking all for the agency’s paper work too.
-Elizabeth
@Elizabeth & Mak,
Thank you the main Real World Brooklyn page was now updated as well.
I’m am sick and tired of all this transgender psycho babble! First off lets get one thing straight there is no such thing as “transgender.” Changing ones anatomical features has no bearing on whether that person is male or female. Another thing it does not make you ignorant, or close minded to think that there is something wrong here; however it does mean that you might be a normal functioning part of society. In fact you don’t even have to be all that normal to realize that there is something wrong here. It’s absurd! We lock people away in insane asylums for cutting themselves because they are depressed, or because they believe that little green men live in space. Yet we have become so incompetent as a society to allow these truly insane people to walk the streets like there is nothing wrong here. I am disgusted and saddened that MTV would stoop this low for ratings. I know you stated earlier that you don’t feel that this is what’s going on, but take a second to think about it. The show usually consists of seven (7) not eight (8) cast members. So, why does it have eight (8) this season? It’s because the trans “thing” he/she or whatever you want to call IT would not have made for successful television as one of the normal seven (7) in the house its’ own. MTV and Bunim-Murray Productions have concocted a sick formula for choosing the cast members. It is obvious that they choose the most extreme cases from each social background. Any doctor who performs this surgery should be locked away in prison, and anyone seeking this surgery should get help from a psychiatrist. In fact it shouldn’t be an option they should be forced to get help. I don’t care how bad your childhood was or what happened to you in the past this is just a sad cry for help much like cutting your self is. Anyone who argues other wise is the ignorant one not I. As for Mak, the original name of it was mentioned because he/she/it did not die, is not in protective custody, and is not married, therefore the legal name change is so stupid. If you want to be technical people do use there maiden names for things, and Muhammad Ali was referred to as “formerly Cassius Clay” similar to Prince when he became “the Artist” or whatever he goes by now. The point is No one in there right mind will ever, ever except a trans person for anything other than what they were born as. You can change your outside appearance you can change your name, but you will still always just be a boy or a girl playing dress up on the inside! In my opinion trans people (men for the sake of argument) are just greedy gay men who want to trick or deceive straight men into thinking they are men so they can have all men not just the gay ones. If this isn’t true then why not keep your man name and just have your friends call you by a pretend name because ultimately you are a pretend person so it fits? Sorry to be on a soap box I could go on and on all day about this subject, but i feel like i have already wasted too much of my time writing as much i have. If anyone has something they would like to say to me about this please feel free to direct all of your comments to my personal email address Hodgel515@yahoo.com Thank you and may Satan have mercy on your soles because God sure as hell won’t!
@Lee,
Dude, how often do you use your “anatomy” as part of your being a “normal functioning part of society”? I’m assuming you’re not whipping out at the grocery store– otherwise I feel sorry for folks in your neighborhood. Oh, and I’m pretty sure Prince’s parents didn’t name him Prince.
…. and, FWIW, I’m not actually a gay man tricking straight men into being gay. I’m a transsexual woman tricking lesbians into being straight.
@Lee
Man… you're my fucking hero!
Sure thing Lee. You go on believeing that.
That’s disgusting. This dude better watch out; tricking some guy into eating out his pussy only to find out that the labia he is licking is actually the remnants of a mutilated and torn up ball sac turned inside out. I’d knock this fucking freaks teeth out if I found that shit out. Bah, actually maybe they deserve it if they actually are too damn dumb to see the shoulders on that faggot and put two and two together. Fucking freak.
@Mike, Class act, dude. You’re so well spoken! I might as well give up this trans shit with spokespeople like you workin’ against me. There’s nothing like mad rantings and vague anonymous threats when you’re looking to persuade people you’ve never met.
im 50 allways been against homo & tranis,but when i saw kate it was love at first sight. shes hot!!! she is a woman!! yummy!!!! you have millions of watchers wanting you. get rid of mike!!! he’s bringing you down. f that!!your butiful i realy wood like to meet you . luv ya!
ALL the males on MTV Real World Brooklyn act like a bunch of yelping pups. I have NEVER in my life seen soooo many whining ass young men. How in the hell do you have the nerve to complain about the ladies in the house talking about you behind your back…when you have done the same to them. Assholes. ALL of you BOYS are extremely rude, disrespectful and verbally abusive to women. You are extremely immature men…and use the word men very loosely. Chet, I don’t know who’s THE WORST, you or JD/VD –whatever. And Chet, it was none of your damn business who the young lady Devon was seeing, screwing, or engage to..to be such a Christian or whatever you are, you’re pretty damn judgemental!!!!!!!!! AGAIN, MIND YOUR OWN GOT DAMN BUSINESS, YOU BUSY BODY. You’re worst than gossiping old women. Nasy bastards, putting rats in peoples bed. YOU ‘BOYS’ ARE ALL HYPOCRITES.
This thing she did with her body makes her a target for critisism and she didn’t know how much of a misunderstanding world she stepped into with mtv veiwers. if the number of people grew with opperations so will the number of people that watch this show and express the support they have for that. the way she thinks she can change how much people know is like a horrible advertising of her misunderstood sex life.
I can understand if you are angry or whatever, but no one on here is trying to diss anybody that is transgendered. If anything, YOU are the person who sounds the most negative on here. Talking down to people is not going to get them to understand you, they are going to resent you and DISRESPECT you, which it sounds like is the last thing you want. Whether you want it or not heres my advice: treat people the fucking way you want to be treated. Even if you are trying to defend someone, if your mean and nasty towards others they are not going to want to be anything but mean and nasty towards you (and your beliefs.)
katelyn is disgusting!!!!!!!