Kelly Osbourne Raises Awareness for Trans People

Television personality Kelly Osbourne apologizes for her recent gaffe using derogatory terms to describe transgender people, whom she calls "some of the bravest people on Earth," in an essay posted on the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation's blog.

Earlier this month Osbourne, a longtime ally to the LGBT community, slipped during an interview with Glamour UK. While discussing her breakup with ex-boyfriend Luke Worrall over trans model Elle Schneider, she used two terms deemed derogatory to transgender people. Marti Abernathey, a blog editor and contributing writer at The Transadvocate, called Osbourne's comment "objectifying and dehumanizing." The two became engaged in a debate over Twitter.

Now Osbourne has written a post on GLAAD's blog to not only admit her error, but to help raise awareness for this weekend's Transgender Day or Remembrance.

"Transgender people are some of the bravest people on Earth and among the LGBT community," she writes in the essay. "I cannot imagine the courage it takes to live your life openly and honestly, reflecting who you truly are, or the hurt that comes from having to hide who you are because others may not support and accept you."

Osbourne adds, "A part of me is happy I've made such an awful mistake because I can now use this as a platform to help speak out against the use of such hurtful and dehumanizing words."

Osbourne makes it clear that she sought out GLAAD for advice, clarification, and the opportunity to learn from her mistake. Abernathy offered GLAAD a comment on Osbourne's essay, saying, "With this post Kelly has proven she is a responsible ally to the transgender community. She made a mistake that was borne of ignorance, not malice."

Read her full essay here. Transgender Day of Remembrance is November 20.