"In reality, by being Zeke the dude, I am being my most honest self - as is every other transgender person going about their daily lives", Smith wrote.
Many viewers, who quickly took to social media, wanted Varner voted off the planet, insisting his revelation was an act of violence. "Deceptions on levels Jeff that these guys don't even understand", Varner explained, looking at Smith.
The moment came before the contestants vote on who to kick off the island, which is usually a mix of players lobbying to stay on and make their case. Smith had previously been a contestant on season 33 of the show and, during that season and this one, presenting as an out gay man - a conscious decision on his part.
Host Jeff Probst condemned Varner's outing of Smith in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
Varner backtracked after other players criticized him and he apologized, but he was sent home unanimously by his tribe.
"Two seasons playing 'Survivor, ' I've told nobody", Smith said.
"Zeke and I spoke in October and just hearing his voice was comforting, hearing his forgiveness was comforting, hearing that he believed both he and I were victims in some way was comforting", he shared - though in a piece for The Hollywood Reporter, Smith said he still had trouble forgiving Varner.
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That said, he is no Chris Paul , a perennial candidate for Most Valuable Player and a future Hall of Famer. They won 50 or more games for the fifth straight season, joining San Antonio as the only teams to do so.
"I think he hoped others would believe that trans people are unsafe and fraudulent". I just think he has a lot of misconceptions about trans people.
There was a huge shock during last night's episode of Survivor, but not due to insane twist or a contestant getting voted off.
"I feel like I know something about Zeke that nobody else has picked up on", Varner told the cameras before tribal. "In the end, we believe this episode, accompanied by Zeke's own remarkable writing and speaking on the subject, has provided an unexpected but important dialogue about acceptance and treating transgender people with respect".
"It's a game for a million dollars and I clearly made the wrong choice tonight", he said. Smith wrote. "I remember distinctly Jeff Probst's opening line, 'You are watching 20 Americans begin an adventure that will forever change their lives.' I was hooked".
"Why haven't you told anyone you're transgender?" demanded Varner during the show. "I thought he deserved to know it would be his last day on the beach". "It robs a strong, courageous person of their power and protection and opens them up to discrimination and danger", he added.
"I was also very impressed with the compassion Zeke showed Varner".
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