TLC medical show producing a segment on devotees

[strangesexcasting]

Hi All,

I am a casting producer for a medical series on TLC called "Strange Sex." The series, now entering its second season, highlights unusual sexual conditions and lifestyles, with a goal of educating the viewer and shedding light on a little understood, real-life condition or situation. We know that topics we explore might be shared among members of our audience who'd appreciate the subjects being brought to light, and the erasing of any misconceptions or myths.

As we gear up for our new season, we are looking at a number of topics to explore in our episodes, among them, someone who considers themselves a devotee.

Ideally, we are looking for someone who lives in the United States. We'd like to speak to them about appearing in our program, since our goal is to provide context for the person's story and education to our viewers. We tell the story in a respectful and sensitive manner. We don't even have a narrator for this show -- the stories are told in the words of the people who have gone through the experience.

I wanted to reach out to the forum to see if any devotees might be interested. Leave your story and contact info on the board and we'll be in touch.

Many thanks - I look forward to connecting.

[Emma]

I have been waiting to see devotees featured on Strange Sex! I love the show. I however am not interested in being featured due to my privacy issues. Are you just looking for women devotees? I know of a very articulate and well spoken male devotee who may be interested.

[Inigo Montoya]

I adore you, Emma, but my response to this is...

I wish it wasn't considered strange to desire a disabled body.

[Dee Dee]

To the TLC caster/moderator:

How are you going to ensure that the topic is presented in an educational and sensitive manner?

Which meaning lies behind the word "strange" in "Strange sex"?

Does the participant in the TV programme get to see the edited show before it airs?

Which views on the topic do you, the TLC programme crew, have yourselves?

[devogirl]

I strongly urge any of you considering this to be careful. No matter what nice things they say up front, once you sign that release, you have no control over how they choose to represent you on the show. Even if it is presented in a respectful way, this is still a freakshow of human sexuality. Is that really how we want to be portrayed?

Also ask yourself, even if you're ok going public, how would you feel about every person in your family seeing you on TV? Every person you work with, or might work with in the future? And how would you feel about it ten years from now? Twenty years?

[Dee Dee]

Nov 11, 2010 19:40:24 GMT -5 devogirl said:

I strongly urge any of you considering this to be careful. No matter what nice things they say up front, once you sign that release, you have no control over how they choose to represent you on the show. Even if it is presented in a respectful way, this is still a freakshow of human sexuality. Is that really how we want to be portrayed?

Also ask yourself, even if you're ok going public, how would you feel about every person in your family seeing you on TV? Every person you work with, or might work with in the future? And how would you feel about it ten years from now? Twenty years?

I agree, Devogirl.

That´s why I think it was necessary to post the questions in the above.

[BA]

Nov 11, 2010 19:40:24 GMT -5 devogirl said:

I strongly urge any of you considering this to be careful. No matter what nice things they say up front, once you sign that release, you have no control over how they choose to represent you on the show. Even if it is presented in a respectful way, this is still a freakshow of human sexuality. Is that really how we want to be portrayed?

Also ask yourself, even if you're ok going public, how would you feel about every person in your family seeing you on TV? Every person you work with, or might work with in the future? And how would you feel about it ten years from now? Twenty years?

Thank you Devogirl. always the voice of reason. I could not agree more. It all ends up in the hands of the editors. I also feel that this is presented as a freakshow of human sexuality and what message does that send about the disabled?

[Valkyrja]

I agree, girls...
shows (at least in Argentina) use to play with people. They convert people´s life into a circus.
And... what is this "strange sex"?... why our liking is "strange"?

[Dee Dee]

So, this is strange.

This caster has not even returned to reply to us in this thread.

If the questions and concerns which we have raised cannot even be answered properly - then what are we to think other than this is ... well, strange (pun intended)

[Emma]

I agree. She did PM me looking to get in contact with the male dev I mentioned so she has logged in. Producer, where are you? We have questions. Do you have any thoughts on what we have all said?