Rev. Stephen Pieters, HIV survivor and gay activist, di at 70

Contents:

• SURVIVOR QUARANTE QUTNNAIRE: BRET LABELLE REFLECTS ON G OUT AS GAY ON THE SHOW
• COP WHO "DON'T TALK ABOUT" BEG GAY JOS "SURVIVOR"42-YEAR-OLD BRET LABELLE SAYS "BEG GAY DON'T FE ME."{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY MATTHEW THARRETTSEPTEMBER 23, 2016/3:35 PMBY MATTHEW THARRETTSEPTEMBER 23, 2016 / 3:35 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"COP WHO \"DON'T TALK ABOUT\" BEG GAY JOS \"SURVIVOR\"","DATEPUBLISHED":"2016-09-23T19:35:41.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2016-09-23T19:35:41.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"MATTHEW THARRETT","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A 42-YEAR-OLD BOSTON POLICE SERGEANT NAMED BRET IS ONE OF THE NEW ST MEMBERS OF SURVIVOR'S 33RD SEASON, WHICH PREMIERED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BRET IS OPENLY (ALBE SELECTIVELY) GAY BUT REVEALED HE WON'T BE TALKG ABOUT MUCH ON THE UPG SEASON BEE 'S "SUCH A SMALL PART OF [HIS] LIFE" THAT HE RARELY EVER TALKS ABOUT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"BEG GAY ISN'T SOMETHG THAT F ME," HE SAID RECENTLY DURG A PRE-SEASON TERVIEW. "IT'S A PART OF MY LIFE BUT I'M ALSO A P, I'M AN UNCLE, I'M A BROTHER, A SON. I'M NOT ASHAMED OF BUT I DON'T TALK ABOUT BEE 'S NOT A BIG AL."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BRET WENT ON TO SCRIBE HIMSELF AS A "BIG PEOPLE PERSON" WHO "TALKS A LOT." HE SAYS HE'LL RELY MOSTLY ON HIS "TUN AND POLICE EXPERIENCE" TO W THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"IN POLICE CULTURE, YOU'RE ED TO PEOPLE BEG NICE TO YOU UP ONT AND NOT SO NICE TO YOU BEHD CLOSED DOORS," HE SAID. "SO I'M ED TO THAT CULTURE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE CURRENT SEASON PS GEN X PEOPLE AGAST MILLENNIALS TO SEE WHICH GROUP WILL E OUT ON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE SEASON'S ONLY OTHER GAY ST MEMBER IS ZEKE, A 28-YEAR-OLD REAL TATE ASSET MANAGER OM BROOKLYN WHO ONCE NSIRED BEG AN EPISPAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ZEKE DON'T MENTN HIS SEXUALY AT ALL DURG HIS PRE-SEASON TERVIEW, BUT ALLUS TO EXPLAG WHY HE CHOSE TO MAJOR RELIG STUDI {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I WANTED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE THAN OTHER PEOPLE," HE SAID, ADDG THAT 'S NICE TO "HAVE A GREATER UNRSTANDG OF THE BIBLE AND HOW WAS WRTEN" WHEN PEOPLE TRY AND E TO NMN HIS "CHOIC."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CHECK OUT BOTH BRET AND ZEKE'S PRE-SEASON TERVIEWS BELOW:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• SURVIVOR: CLOSET GAYS
• REV. STEPHEN PIETERS, HIV SURVIVOR AND GAY ACTIVIST, DI AT 70
• ‘IT’S MY FLORIDA TOO’: PULSE SHOOTG SURVIVOR BRANDON WOLF ON BEG BLACK, GAY AND THE ANTI-RON DESANTIS

SURVIVOR QUARANTE QUTNNAIRE: BRET LABELLE REFLECTS ON G OUT AS GAY ON THE SHOW

Gen X season to rm fellow stmate Zeke Smh, "I will tell you you're not the only gay guy out here. "I had an ternal stggle wh myself wh g out and beg gay for years, " says Bret now.

"I fely loved that they waed to sprg on everyone that I was gay till the end of the season, " Bret says. I had an ternal stggle wh myself wh g out and beg gay for years. " I fely loved that they waed to sprg on everyone that I was gay till the end of the season.

COP WHO "DON'T TALK ABOUT" BEG GAY JOS "SURVIVOR"42-YEAR-OLD BRET LABELLE SAYS "BEG GAY DON'T FE ME."{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY MATTHEW THARRETTSEPTEMBER 23, 2016/3:35 PMBY MATTHEW THARRETTSEPTEMBER 23, 2016 / 3:35 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"COP WHO \"DON'T TALK ABOUT\" BEG GAY JOS \"SURVIVOR\"","DATEPUBLISHED":"2016-09-23T19:35:41.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2016-09-23T19:35:41.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"MATTHEW THARRETT","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A 42-YEAR-OLD BOSTON POLICE SERGEANT NAMED BRET IS ONE OF THE NEW ST MEMBERS OF SURVIVOR'S 33RD SEASON, WHICH PREMIERED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BRET IS OPENLY (ALBE SELECTIVELY) GAY BUT REVEALED HE WON'T BE TALKG ABOUT MUCH ON THE UPG SEASON BEE 'S "SUCH A SMALL PART OF [HIS] LIFE" THAT HE RARELY EVER TALKS ABOUT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"BEG GAY ISN'T SOMETHG THAT F ME," HE SAID RECENTLY DURG A PRE-SEASON TERVIEW. "IT'S A PART OF MY LIFE BUT I'M ALSO A P, I'M AN UNCLE, I'M A BROTHER, A SON. I'M NOT ASHAMED OF BUT I DON'T TALK ABOUT BEE 'S NOT A BIG AL."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BRET WENT ON TO SCRIBE HIMSELF AS A "BIG PEOPLE PERSON" WHO "TALKS A LOT." HE SAYS HE'LL RELY MOSTLY ON HIS "TUN AND POLICE EXPERIENCE" TO W THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"IN POLICE CULTURE, YOU'RE ED TO PEOPLE BEG NICE TO YOU UP ONT AND NOT SO NICE TO YOU BEHD CLOSED DOORS," HE SAID. "SO I'M ED TO THAT CULTURE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE CURRENT SEASON PS GEN X PEOPLE AGAST MILLENNIALS TO SEE WHICH GROUP WILL E OUT ON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE SEASON'S ONLY OTHER GAY ST MEMBER IS ZEKE, A 28-YEAR-OLD REAL TATE ASSET MANAGER OM BROOKLYN WHO ONCE NSIRED BEG AN EPISPAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ZEKE DON'T MENTN HIS SEXUALY AT ALL DURG HIS PRE-SEASON TERVIEW, BUT ALLUS TO EXPLAG WHY HE CHOSE TO MAJOR RELIG STUDI {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I WANTED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE THAN OTHER PEOPLE," HE SAID, ADDG THAT 'S NICE TO "HAVE A GREATER UNRSTANDG OF THE BIBLE AND HOW WAS WRTEN" WHEN PEOPLE TRY AND E TO NMN HIS "CHOIC."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CHECK OUT BOTH BRET AND ZEKE'S PRE-SEASON TERVIEWS BELOW:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

There have been stanc of homophobia, transphobia and the reprentatn of LGBTQ+ nttants has been que limed.

Richard Hatch ma history as the very first wner of Survivor, and he did as an openly gay man. His iendship wh Courtney Yat was lightful to watch; many queer fans nsir Courtney a gay in herself, and they rema bt iends to this day. Brice Izyah Johnston (Survivor: Cagayan).

SURVIVOR: CLOSET GAYS

Brice Izayah was the first openly gay Black nttant on Survivor and his charmg personaly and inic purple troers stantly won him a followg. Brice's time on Cagayan was short-lived, as he was voted out the send episo, but after Jeff Probst snuffed his torch he found his time to she:. Bret felt a kship to Zeke, who was also gay and felt fortable sharg this part of his inty.

REV. STEPHEN PIETERS, HIV SURVIVOR AND GAY ACTIVIST, DI AT 70

Smh was out as gay while petg, but he had never discsed his genr inty wh his tribemat prr to beg outted by Varner (who is also gay). ***Spoilers below***Survivor, the CBS realy TV show which maroons strangers together on a serted island jt to watch them vote each other out one by one, has been a queer show om the very begng — the first player voted out was gay.

The first wner was gay. In s first few seasons (which aired the early 2000s), was evint that stg directors saw LGBTQ+ staways as ltle more than opportuni to produce "button-phg" TV, brgg on one or two (typilly whe) gay men hop of gettg a brawl or, better, an unlikely iendship à la Rudy Boch and Richard Hatch. Rather than there beg one whe gay male teractg wh a field of straight staways, today we have queer BIPOC, nonbary, and transgenr people all teractg and provg that the muny isn't a then, of urse, there are the fans.

‘IT’S MY FLORIDA TOO’: PULSE SHOOTG SURVIVOR BRANDON WOLF ON BEG BLACK, GAY AND THE ANTI-RON DESANTIS

Whatever the se, I n anecdotally say that the number of gays I know who have watched all 42 seasons is credibly high. A 42-year-old Boston police sergeant named Bret is one of the new st members of Survivor's 33rd season, which premiered is openly (albe selectively) gay but revealed he won't be talkg about much on the upg season bee 's "such a small part of [his] life" that he rarely ever talks about .

"Beg gay isn't somethg that f me, " he said recently durg a pre-season terview. "The current season ps Gen X people agast Millennials to see which group will e out on season's only other gay st member is Zeke, a 28-year-old real tate asset manager om Brooklyn who once nsired beg an Epispal don't mentn his sexualy at all durg his pre-season terview, but allus to explag why he chose to major Relig Studi llege. Steve Pieters, an HIV survivor and gay activist who helped shift views around HIV/AIDS the ’80s, has died at 70.

How hard was for Bret to announce he was gay on natnal televisn? " By Smh's acunt, Jeff Probst, the host and executive producer of "Survivor, " told him not to be ncerned wh how dienc might view him upon learng he's transgenr bee Probst's mother had a favorable view of Smh after viewg the episo where fellow nttant Jeff Varner, an openly gay man, outed Smh as trans.