Op-ed: 14 Reasons That Made 2011 Great for Trans People

12. Chaz Bono Teaching Trans to the Masses 

Chaz Bono on Dancing With the Stars marked the first time an openly trans man starred on a major network television show for something unrelated to being trans. Bono's welcome quickly turned into controversy, but his resilience and warm persona told Americans that they have a lot in common with him and other trans people. I credit Chaz for his willingness to tell his story, and for teaching Americans at least a little bit about our lives.