Louisville, Ky. (WHAS11) - Dancing with the Stars was only the beginning. even though JR Martinez has been crowned the winner, many are still talking about Chaz Bono. He used to be a woman and was the first transgender person on the show.
WHAS11’s Gene Kang explores the lives of three women who used to be men and why they chose to dance to a different beat. Amid all the wigs, dresses and heels, we are taking a real-life look at transgendered people, living right here in Louisville.
These women are entertainers at the nightclub called Connections. They are known for their spectacular shows and dance routines that are out of this world.
"Things are looking up for me now. It seems like karma is making its round. It's my turn now. I wanna be here now, no," sings Cezanne, lip-syncing to music.
Cezanne and Victoria Taylor Syimone have a dark secret brought to light by Chaz Bono on "Dancing with the Stars." They are controversial, not for their dance moves, but for whom they are.
"I'm just a regular guy. All these ideas that children shouldn't watch me because I'm going to be confusing, it's crazy," said Chaz Bono.
"I started entertaining as a female impersonator in '86. January of 1986," said Cezanne.
Several nights a week, Cezanne and the ladies, transform into glamorous dolls. Many have traveled the globe and have enough makeup to make Lady Gaga jealous and wigs of every style and length. They also have stiletto heels to work the cat walk and dresses to match their every mood.
But Cezanne says life was not always such a beautiful dance.
Growing up, like many in the transgender community, she was upstaged by prejudice, bigotry and hatred for being different. She transitioned with hormones and surgery 20 years ago.
"For me, I knew that this was a way I had to be in order to be happy. To be fulfilled in my own being," said Cezanne.
Cezanne was born a man but underwent surgery to become a woman. A term called transsexual "pre-op" -- that means she is female from the waist up but still male from the waist down. She did not undergo full gender re-assignment.
"The reason I'm wearing this crown is because I was crowned Miss Continental Labor Day weekend. But my mom is there. So she's great about it all and gives all the support in the world. Hi mom!" said Cezanne.
Not one to be shy, she appeared on the Jerry Springer Show talking about her life. Not bad for a crowned beauty queen who grew up as a boy in the West End of Louisville - the opposite of Chaz Bono, born to Sonny and Cher as Chastity Bono.
These so-called gender-benders have faced harsh judgment in and out of the gay and lesbian community.
OneMillionMoms.com says their lifestyle is unacceptable and against Christianity.
"We will not be able to watch the show with Chaz on there. This is going to be very confusing for children," said the group.
Off stage, Victoria Taylor Syimone admits she felt like she was born in the wrong body and endured years of abuse for being feminine as a kid.
"I was chased home from school several times from a certain group of kids. I had my nose broken on the bus stop," said Victoria Taylor Syimone.
Like many transgender people, she was harassed and bullied. In fact, hundreds in her community have been murdered due to hate crimes in recent years.
"It's a stereotype that every gay man wants to dress like a woman or do shows or become a woman and it's not true. It's a select few. Some straight people have a problem with it," said Syimone.
Others, like Staff Sergeant Rebecca Grant transitioned in plain view. She was discharged from the Army National Guard for living as a woman. The 12 year veteran served in Iraq and Bosnia and was the recipient of numerous honors including the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
While the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy applies to gay and lesbian service members, she tells WHAS 11 News it does nothing to protect transsexuals like her because the military considers it a medical issue.
"Now that I've come out and living really who I am and fighting for my rights, I don't believe by any means it's a disorder," said Rebecca Grant.
You can say these three women are out and proud living in a world that may not understand.
But they're facing the music, one step at a time.
Not everyone is accepting of their lifestyles but more people are coming out as transgender and sharing their stories.
