The photo of Chaz Bono in OUT Magazine’s OUT 100 feature was inspired by photographer Richard Avedon’s famous shot of actor Marlon Brando shaving.

Here’s the write-up in Chaz that accompanies the photo: The furor directed at ABC after it announced that Chaz Bono, who underwent reassignment surgery last year, would be included in the current season of hit reality show Dancing With the Stars simply confirmed the value of the network’s bold decision.

After years in which American Idol contestants were encouraged to keep their sexuality private, seeing Bono dancing with his female instructor was one of television’s most inspiring images of 2011 — and a salutary reminder of how rare such positive images are.

Bono’s other achievements this year include a documentary, Becoming Chaz, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and garnered three Emmy nominations, and the publication of his third book, Transition: The Story of How I Became a Man.

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