'Dancing with the Stars' Chaz Bono: 'I'm not a bad influence'

Chaz Bono has rejected claims that he is a negative influence on children who watch Dancing with the Stars.

Bono has come under fire from some groups, who have suggested that his Dancing with the Stars appearances could encourage young people to want to change their gender.

During an interview with Tonight Show host Jay Leno, Bono said that he is not concerning himself with any of the criticism.

"I kind of just let it roll off my back… Obviously, if you don't have gender dysphoria, you're not going to watch me and want to change your sex," he told Leno.

Bono added: "I also look at the value for people and kids who are dealing with [gender dysphoria]. If I had seen somebody like myself on TV when I was growing up, it would have made all the difference in the world to me."

Leno also quizzed Chaz on whether he plans to follow in his father Sonny and step-mother Mary's footsteps by entering politics.

"Probably not. I've thought about it before, but… it's hard," Chaz admitted. "You have to stay with one party or the other and there's so much pressure. The partisanship right now [in Washington DC] is so bad."

Bono previously revealed that his mother Cher initially didn't believe he could succeed on Dancing with the Stars.

Dancing with the Stars airs Mondays and Tuesdays on ABC.

> Chaz Bono: 'I've lost 10lbs on Dancing with the Stars'

Watch Chaz Bono's Tonight Show interview below: