After Sarah Lacina snagged the million dollar grand prize on this season's finale of Survivor, fans continued to tune in to the much-anticipated reunion episode.
Fans were not expecting to hear from newly-crowned 32 year old Lacina, but rather the transgender man who was outed on national television by a contestant.
Zeke Smith, 28, of Brooklyn, New York, was shocked when castmate Jeff Varner outed him as transgender in an episode leading up the finale: "Why haven't you told anyone here you're transgender?"
Smith silently held back tears, looking helplessly at the camera. Immediately, other contestants stood up for Smith, before choosing to eliminate the humiliated Varner.
During the reunion episode, Smith discussed his hardships - not having a lot of friends, nearly failing his studies at Harvard, falling into a deep depression. He then revealed that he is now in a much better place: "Growing up in Oklahoma, I didn't always have a lot of friends. Even throughout my life, people haven't always stuck through my side for the hard times. What this experience has showed me is that I have so much love in my life."
He also said that during his time on the island, he was able to find courage and boldness.
Months after the season wrap in Fiji, Smith now writes for the Hollywood Reporter. He believes his situation is a model of how transgendered people should be treated in the media. He believes no trans person should ever feel that they are limited and that "the journey might be harder, but the adventure is so worth taking."
Jeff Varner, who outed Smith, was fired from his job amid the backlash to his actions on the show. He admitted his mistakes during the reunion, and said he was subsequently hired by Keller Williams. At this point the audience applauded, including the very forgiving Smith.
