Love and Hip Hop ATL casts 1st Transgender

So on the 5th season premiere of Vh1's hit show Love and Hip Hop Atlanta, they unveiled a new addition to the cast. However, it was not the typical hyper-sexualized, loud, "ratchet" female character, or the typical male cast member with multiple baby mamas, and flashy jewelry. It was transgender producer D. Smith. Smith is a Grammy award winning producer known for working with artists such as Andre 3000, Monica, Ciara, and Lil Wayne. Her defining moment came after being tapped by Wayne to be a part of his most successful project to date The Carter III, which sold one million copies in its debut week, one of only three rap albums in history to ever achieve this feat. With casting this Ms. Smith Love and Hip Hop is making history yet again with the series first transgender character. If we remember last season the Love and Hip Hop series cast their first gay male couple. But with all of the positive press saying that they proud of Vh1 for being so progressive, there is equally if not more negative press including returning cast member Lil Scrappy. He went in on the trans community saying he had a problem with trans people because he didn’t like the influence they have over little kids. But immediately social media clapped back on his comments, along with his mother calling him out for his ignorant statement. Nonetheless, I appreciate Love and Hip Hop continuing to make strides in the world of social justice and activism; giving voices to marginalized groups that normally get ignored by the mass media.