Okay... so because it’s ME writing the piece, I’ll have my say (grief, he’s an egomaniac they cry).
This lady had a privileged lifestyle, fame, acclaim, money etc. so it’d be safe to assume that financially, transitioning wasn’t an issue in affording cost for surgeries (such as facial feminisation surgery). Despite that however, she’s done a life changing/life affirming thing and okay, she’s a celebrity and currently one could argue is in the limelight specifically for COMING OUT as trans.
I do think this is a good thing, she can speak on issues that sadly, other trans people might struggle to get heard because they’re simply not as famous. Not a fair system, but good in that Caitlyn is (although a latecomer) a member of the Trans Community - and surely that’s positive in spreading the word.
Okay... I’ve had my say... but also, I want to state so have a lot of other Cis People (that is, they aren’t Transgender but identify with the gender that corresponds to their biological sex).
Lot’s of interviews on tv and reporters having their say, arguably most are Cis, although there are some Trans People commenting albeit fewer in number.
So, rather than assume what the Transgender Community are thinking, I put this on various Facebook groups:
“This specifically a question to Trans People in the group - if you'd consider helping me with a piece I want to write.
Caitlyn Jenner - what do you think about her?
I know that's a singular question, but it covers so much... I'm seeing so many debates and generally its Cis People discussing about bravery/biological sex/gender identity/privilege etc. etc.But I would like to compile on my blog a what Trans People think... the people who SHOULD be asked...
One reason - Cis person saying "Where was Bruce (said in context) when the LGBT community were facing oppression in the 60s and 70s" etc.
So I would very much like the opinion of someone who actually KNOWS through experience about being Trans...
I can empathise to a limited degree but I'm Cis Male... so I can't know what it's like... what challenges to face... the positives and negatives as to coming out and affirming your life.I know that are other articles out there... but surely one more won't do any harm, so I'd much like to do this.If you'd consent, please leave a comment.
I will compile as it goes on and add your comment and name to the piece.
Again, sorry to be a pain, but this for Trans People only... Cis People are having their say 24/7 on facebook, but I'd like not to include in this piece.
I want this to be a piece that I can share with Cis folk and say "You're commenting on Caitlyn and raising awareness re: Trans Issues and the Trans Community... but have you ASKED anyone Trans for their thoughts?"
Thanks for your consideration.”
So okay... the irony - I’ve had first say, but I also wanted to use it to explain where I was coming from, and why I was asking.
But now it’s time to shut my yap and let some very kind members of the Trans Community share their views. Keep an eye on this, I’ll be adding to it when more comments come in. :)
“There are not many people who have not yet heard about Caitlyn Jenner and her amazing transition into womanhood. She is quite amazing and her story is captivating and perhaps a little polarizing as advocates and the non-advocates set their opinions against each other. Even in the transgender collective there are some who see Caitlyn’s public transition as not a great thing for the community in whole. Personally, I believe it is a good thing for us but perhaps not for the reasons other advocates embrace.Caitlyn very much deserves respect and she is to be commended on making a huge and painful transition in the public eye. Transitioning is not an easy thing to do and I know when I transitioned it was not in public nor did I have the courage then to let the world know that I was transgender. It takes courage to live in the open and there can be many trials that come with such a decision. The public as a whole is learning to respect us but there are still some that need to learn how to be respectful. Caitlyn deserves to be respected which includes be properly referred to with the feminine pronouns that she has requested us to use. It is never okay to disrespect someone with using incorrect pronouns on purpose.Here is where my opinion waivers from the overall pro Caitlyn camp. Caitlyn is only one woman in the transgender collective and the real story is not Caitlyn, but it is all of us. She was not the first celebrity to transition, nor will she be the last. Christine Jorgensen began her transition in 1951 and the media gobbled it up much like what is happening today with Caitlyn. Mind you, Christine did not seek out the publicity as Caitlyn does and for the most part just wanted to live a normal life. Before Christine, there were less public transitions but she was really one of the first big ones that made a public impact. Many of the big names that followed were inspired by Christine just as the current trans girls may have been inspired by some of the many girls that would follow.There have been huge names along the way such as Reneé Richards and Caroline Cossey; and more recently; Lana Wachowsi, Chaz Bono, and Laverne Cox. They all have a special spot in bringing awareness and compassion to the transgender collective and this is definitely a very good thing. However, we cannot simply expect the celebrities to effect real change without any help from us. It is the responsibility of all of us in the transgender collective to keep the awareness in the public eye. One voice is but a whisper, a multitude of voices is a collective and that is where real change is.The danger that the transgender collective faces right now with Caitlyn is expecting her to change the world all by herself. It doesn’t work that way and in reality Caitlyn’s only value for the movement is that she has got the light focused on us. She will keep the light on us for as long as she can but the real work needs to be done by each of us. It is time to come out of the shadows and let the world see that we are normal people. It is time to let them see that we are not something to be feared and ridiculed but are a unique resource of people to embrace and include. Many of us are creative and many of us are not, We come in all flavors and one thing we all do have is a unique view on the world that is invaluable to society.It is already happening with people like Jazz Jennings and Michelle Hendley as they continue to raise the bar for us. Jazz is simply an amazing young woman who is transforming the landscape for trans children and really helping to educate them as well as their parents. Michelle is an up and coming actress who has recently played a trans woman in a movie, Boy Meets Girl, that depicts us as very normal and will go down as one of those movies that really does set the stage for acceptance. If you have not watched this movie I do recommend you check it out, it is available on Netflix. This is a great start and I am proud of their efforts, as well as many others, thus far.For me, going public was a very scary thing and with the courage I found from the media’s attention on Laverne, Caitlyn, and other trans girls taking the same plunge it was an easy choice. Amazingly, I feel a lot more free without the weight of hiding a secret from everyone I know. I am finally living in my truth and it feels great. I am a writer and now a transgender rights advocate/educator/inspirational focal point. I have a lot to say and I can finally say it, a muzzled writer is never a good thing. I am also taking to YouTube to add an extra dimension to my message. I actually broke stealth on YouTube. The point is that none of this would have been possible without the public spotlight on people like Laverne and Caitlyn. The media says that we have reached a transgender tipping point and I do not think we are there yet but we are getting darn close.The true tipping point will be when the everyday transgender people stand up and start living their lives openly. The real tipping point can be here, the time is now. Caitlyn has a light shinning on the public collective. Today, right now, is the right time to band together and let our harmonious voices call attention to the transgender collective. Together we can show the public that we really aren’t any different from them.”
Candace Mountain
“Here's my take on Caitlyn Jenner accepting the Arthur Ashe Award at the Espy's last week: For all of my trans brothers, sisters and gender non conforming identities who have negatively responded.. So, she is a privileged white female and she'll never know the struggles of every day trans women or trans women of color. Risks are risks.. We are all susceptible to hate, bigotry, and the very same fears. She is as well. I'm not saying I completely agree with her speaking on these issues, but if she hadn't who would have? She was given a platform and she made good use of it. White, trans, and privileged or struggling trans women of color.. WE ARE A FAMILY!! It is all of our responsibilities to uplift our community and speak upon the issues we face. Regardless of color or social class. Privileged or underprivileged. Our voices must be heard with disregard of petty injustices within the community.. A voice is a voice. She like her "public figure" sisters Isis King, Laverne Cox and Janet Mock before her (who happen to all be trans women of color😏) is blazing a frontier for tolerance and acceptance for all trans people.. Give respect where respect is due. That's all”
Jordan Shay Carnegie
“ She is bringing the right attitude with the correct caveats for her "newness" to the community. She is vocalizing messages of inclusion and tolerance that are reaching audiences who wouldn't be bothered otherwise with what being transgender is.
As positive and well spoken as some of our other advocates are (Janet Mock, Lavergne Cox...) they are still only being heard in small circles. They don't have the widespread celebrity status that she does.
Caitlyn is taking on the nationwide (worldwide?) news media with her existing celebrity as a platform. Is she the most ideal advocate for every individual transgender identity and situation? No. But who could be?
She is calling for medical care, for basic civil rights, for the end of needless violence and she is doing it loudly, proudly, humbly and without shame or apology.
Anyone asking for more or nitpicking the specifics if her individual transition is failing to see the big picture and is part of the problem not the solution “
S.J.
“ She's lovely and she's getting as much hate from our community as she is from conservatives. She is raising awareness on a scale much more vast than most of us could hope for. She's a much needed voice for late transitioners who all too often find themselves being judged for not coming out sooner. She's inspiration to our youth and even to me. I don't see what is so difficult to embrace about her. The point is that she isn't THE spokeswoman for trans women. She's just one, and her presence doesn't erase any of our other activists. We need her, because she can reach people that Janet Mock or Laverne Cox can't reach. And late transitioners all have their reason. Imagine the pressure she was under back then and what a "controversy" it would have been in her conservative circles. She had a high profile and had a lot to lose. Let's not judge anyone for their journey. Let's welcome her!”
Jamie Vega
“ It's all been said, she doesn't speak for me because funnily enough, contrary to popular opinion, transgender people are all individuals! It's almost as if we all have unique stories and are normal humans or something also she's loaded and I'm a penniless princess!”
Jessica Bethany May Allen
“ I think she can be a help to people who previously hadn't known trans* people. When I came out at work, it was just after Caitlyn came out, and I do feel that it helped my situation, because my boss was a fan of her back when she first became famous. On the other hand, I'm not a fan personally. I don't give a damn about sports or athletes, and I'm not about to start caring just because she's trans*. It gets a little annoying because there's an implication that I have to support her just because she's part of my community, even though she's not at all part of my community. We're both trans*, that's it. It's like if I was expected to like someone just because they also had brown hair. I applaud her for transitioning publicly, but I'm still waiting for a trans* icon in a field I actually care about.”
S.N.C.
“ i think caitlyn is lovely and i respect and admire her. i respect he justlike i admire laverne , carmen carrera , and janet mock they are excellent spokes women”
Allyson Nicole Anderson
“I think she is standing in a spotlight. That upsets some people and encourages others. I don't know enough about her to really form a strong opinion, and I'm ok with that.”
Ruena Houck
“It's interesting how the most high-profile of transpeople worldwide have been athletes of great achievement. First Christine Jorgenson in the 50s, and now Caitlyn...
Proving once again that the love of sports fans truly is damn near unconditional nowadays, if nothing else...
I hope she continues to speak well to the world on the struggles my kind have faced throughout recent world history...
Long ago, we were regarded not as freaks and monsters but as shamans, people of rare insight and powerfully uncommon intelligence...
But that was several thousand years ago.”
Danielle Xaviera Stone
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vaporwave
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snowghoul
annaxmalina
romaincrisis
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