In Defense of Caitlyn Jenner
Yesterday, the most well-known trans woman in America, and possibly the world, was attacked by protesters as she left from her keynote speech she gave at a luncheon for 1000 people at the Hilton Chicago for Chicago House.
The Chicago House’s Speaker Series is an annual fundraising event. Jenner was asked to discuss her coming out experience as a transgender woman. The Chicago house describes itself as “the Midwest’s oldest provider of housing for those impacted by HIV/AIDS and/or LGBTQ marginalization” and “home to the nation’s most comprehensive social service and support programs for transgender individuals, the TransLife Center.”
As she left the keynote luncheon, Caitlyn was bombarded.
“You are an insult to trans people, you are an insult to women. You have no right to represent us,” the protesters shouted through a bullhorn outside the event.
Let me preface this opinion piece with a statement: I am a cisgender, white gay man.
Now that we are all very clear about my identifiers to the outside world, let’s begin. Caitlyn is not the ideal spokesperson for the trans community. Before transitioning, she knew virtually nothing about being trans, or what the community deals with. She’s a Republican. She’s not sure how she feels about gay marriage. She has said some very stupid things.
But, Caitlyn is also a transgender woman.
She was not elected into her position as the face of the trans community for the rest of the world. She was thrust into the position after she decided to stop hiding her true self and her transition. The role was assigned to her. Why? Because she was already an icon, first as a celebrated Olympian, and again as part of the Kardashian clan. When someone who’s already in the spotlight does something dramatic, it’s going to be broadcasted. So no matter how well (or poorly) versed she was in trans issues, terms, and laws, Caitlyn became the unofficial face of a community that had long been overlooked by the nation.
She broke barriers and brought the conversation to dinner tables. People started talking about trans issues a little more openly.
I have no idea what is running through the mind of Caitlyn as she does these things. But I do know that she is trying. She is sharing her story with the world. And although her story may be wildly different than the average trans person’s, it’s still her story to tell.
And, if you’ve been paying attention, Caitlyn is trying to better the community. She’s been circling the country, hitting luncheons, campuses, award shows, and TV trying to spread the word about a community she knew virtually nothing about a year ago. Why? Because she cares. She wants to see the trans community thrive. She wants job equality, and housing equality, and better protections for trans people.
Caitlyn Jenner is trying to use her platform the best way she knows how, and she’s continually getting better at. I know that when I came out, I had no idea what being gay even meant. It took years, and many books, experiences, and friends to help educate and form my own thoughts on the gay community. So instead of attacking her, maybe we should aim for education and understanding.
