BET issues apology after asking blogger to change into a more conservative outfit

BET issued a formal apology on Tuesday after asking an openly gay fashion blogger to change his outfit during the BET Awards pre-show.
Ebony columnist and Glam Network contributing editor B. Scott, who was hosting the Sunday evening event was asked to change out of the tunic, pants and heels he had been sporting in lieu of a more "conservative" ensemble. The fashion blogger re-emerged for his second interview wearing a suit sans a shirt, sparkly black flats and with his hair pulled off of his face.
Scott voiced his feelings on his Twitter account, tweeting "I wasn't going to say anything but my spirit is truly hurt."
Scott later posted an open letter on Monday addressing the issue on his blog. "It's not just about the fact that BET forced me to pull my hair back, asked me to take off my makeup, made me changed my clothes and prevented me from wearing a heel," he wrote. "It's more so that from the mentality and environment created by BET made me feel less than and that something was wrong with who I am as a person."
According to Scott, a sponsor for the show who witnessed the incident later approached him to voice her solidarity. "A consultant from Proctor & Gamble (the company who sponsored the BET Style Stage) watched the entire incident play out. She came over and offered her words of support and encouragement. Her words, 'We at Proctor & Gamble support you and we do not agree with what BET is doing to you' were extremely comforting."
BET expressed regret and told the Associated Press on Monday that the incident was a "miscommunication."
"BET Networks embraces global diversity in all its forms and seeks to maintain an inclusive workforce and a culture that values all perspectives and backgrounds," the company said. "The incident with B. Scott was a singular one with a series of unfortunate miscommunications from both parties. We regret any unintentional offense to B. Scott and anyone within the LGBT community and we seek to continue embracing all gender expressions."

Meanwhile, Scott has rebuked the network's apology, telling the AP on Tuesday that the apology was "half-hearted" and claiming that he had briefed BET on his outfit choices beforehand. "I want real apology from BET. This was not a mutual misunderstanding or miscommunication. I pride myself on being very professional," he said. He also shared how he was "physically yanked off the carpet" and told to "dress more conservatively."
"This was my day to come out in one of the biggest days of my career and I was publically humiliated," he wrote. "I'm just hurt by it. I just want people to know that it's ok to be who you are."
Image Courtesy of Twitter