Bruce Jenner

[Serena]

I'm happy for Ms Jenner, I think she did a good job on this interview, I appreciate that she thinks about herself as a tomboy instead of a super femme trans woman, and that she is declaring a difference between sexual orientation and gender identity. I don't like how Diane sawyer was asking sexuality questions like that, it was too much, Ms. Jenner touched upon this once, how many times does she needs her to repeat it?

Also, for the trans people who feel like this was a media circus move, we have to remember that Ms. Jenner was a victim of paparazzi, she clearly didn't like the attention, and the questions made by the paparazzi were inappropriate, also she said in her interview, that she is not a spokesperson for everyone who's transgender. I personally don't relate to her experience, I started transitioning before I turned 18, and I will not get  a job as a male, and experience male privilege that way, like she did, and be able to afford all the things Ms. Jenner can afford at this point. I am not married, so I will not experience what she went through that neither. Plus, she also acknowledge the fact that trans women of color have it way harder, and trans suicides, murders, etc... And for those stealth trans women, Ms. Jenner doesn't have the possibility of being stealth, so she can't just hide this, and for sure, she didn't want any of those ugly cover stories, speculating about her transition.

[Susan]

Jenner: Athlete, Christian, Parent, Celebrity Advances Visibility and Understanding of Transgender People
Susan's Place Transgender Resources
https://www.susans.org/2015/04/25/jenner-athlete-christian-parent-celebrity-advances-visibility-understanding-transgender-people/

HRC Commends Jenner for Sharing Transition Journey, Olympic Champion Inspires Others

Washington, DC – The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, commended Bruce Jenner for making history tonight, sharing her powerful story and, in doing so, raising the visibility of transgender people and issues facing the transgender community.

"Tonight Jenner shared her story with the world and, in doing so, brought viewers to a new level of understanding when it comes to transgender people," said HRC's Jay Brown, Director of Public Education and Research. "Her story touched on so many of the challenges we transgender people face — rejection, harassment, ridicule, and self-doubt."

"But in the end, Jenner's story is one of resiliency, faith, family, strength and love, and one that can inspire countless others to live their truth," Brown said. Jenner's interview comes at a time when more and more Americans know transgender people, and support them. A recent national HRC survey revealed that 22 percent of likely voters personally know or work with someone who is transgender, and, of that group, two-thirds expressed favorable feelings toward them. That's up from 17 percent who said they knew a transgender person just a year ago.

[Read More]

Also includes video clip

[synesthetic]

There were a couple cringe-worthy moments (ie Diane going on about orientation) but Bruce just handled it with so much class (much more than I would've had haha). I laughed, I cried, and I was filled with such an intense feeling of pride.

This is a huge step for our community, and it's going to help more and more people understand what being trans means. It's amazing.

[iKate]

I know I will get a little flak for this but ... here goes.  I thought the interview was very good and to me the best part was that he did not spaz out about pronouns. Too many times I have seen or heard of Trans* persons doing us all a disservice by turning a pronoun mistake into a huge deal. Flying off the handle and being so focused on the he/she issue that it took away from the humanity of the situation. Sometimes making cis people completely unwilling to learn about and accept Trans*. I have a friend and he had in the past, friends who transitioned. He was concerned when I told him about my transition because as he said, "They are nut jobs". He respects me and so I dug deeper and it is because of these people flipping out about pronouns, this is why he said they were nuts.  He said that he was always carful to use proper names and pronouns but their other friend (who had all known each other since children) had slipped up a few times and their Trans* friend just lost it. To the point that none of her friends want to be around her anymore.

I love it when people say "she", or "her", Ma'am or Miss when referring to me. Makes me glow. Some of my friends will just never do it, they knew me as "him" for so long. I will never get mad at them or flip out, it just seems trivial to do so. Even with my Mom, who loves me very much. She just has a hard time saying "she" or "her" when referring to me. I called her to tell her she should watch the Jenner interview. She said "I don't know who that is, I don't watch TV... Besides I get to live my own transition story with you." I said "Yup, you get to see your own daughter emerge." She giggled nervously. I asked, "Does that bug you, saying I am your daughter?" She said, "No, its just weird hearing it, I love you no matter what!" 

I do wish Bruce well, and I am glad that he is now open about this and the paparazzi and media can stop speculating.

Bruce can finally wear his nail polish until it chips off! Yay!

Much love to you all!

-Jade

Sorry but you and I have a different definition of love.

They may say they love you but if they aren't respecting your identity they aren't taking you seriously. This is why we "flip out" about pronouns. I would just gently remind people though, rather than completely flip out, and if friends keep misgendering you to the point of embarrassment in public, are they really worth keeping around? I know it takes time but I am willing to give months not years. An occasional slip is OK but not every single time, as if they completely ignored your transition.

[Ltl89]

I was really nervous about the potential impact of the interview and that people wouldn't get an accurate depiction on transgender people, but I thought it was very well done.  My mom and sister forced me to watch with them, which was uncomfortable, but I was pleasantly surprised with it and think it may have helped my mom a bit.  While I never would have imagined I'd have anything in common with them, I actually found some of it to be relatable.  Even though I see things differently (perception and politics being two big ones) than them and much about our lives  is very different, I thought it was well done overall. 

Having said that, Im a little confused that someone can be on hrt for 5 years and have 2 kids.  While there is always a rare chance to have children, its very unlikely and usually it makes you completely sterile.  How can he have 2 kids after that?  I don't know, but I was told I can never have kids if I started hrt which was a very difficult thing for me to accept.  This is the case for most people I've talked to, so how was he able to?

[Ltl89]

And what pronouns are they going by now?  I don't want to make a mistake and want to use the ones they are comfortable using.

[charlotte15]

I don't know, but I was told I can never have kids if I started hrt which was a very difficult thing for me to accept.  This is the case for most people I've talked to, so how was he able to?

You should not believe everything doctors say. It's a risk, not a certainty, both for MTF and FTM. I plan on an orchi, and couldn't care less about kids -- except if I could give birth naturally.

Sadly, we don't have the technology for that yet. Maybe one day artifical uteruses will exist?

[Ltl89]

You should not believe everything doctors say. It's a risk, not a certainty, both for MTF and FTM. I plan on an orchi, and couldn't care less about kids -- except if I could give birth naturally.

Sadly, we don't have the technology for that yet. Maybe one day artifical uteruses will exist?

But isn't it a huge and likely risk?  I thought the chances of having children after a decent amount of time on hrt was very unlikely.  Everything I read about it said that and so did the two endocrinologists I've seen for hrt.  All the power to them, it just sounds like a very unlikely thing to have happened.  Maybe they were on a very low dose and didn't take an anti-androgen.  I think that wasn't used until recently,right?

I doubt that will ever be the case in my lifetime or while I still have my youth.  I've accepted that I'll have to adopt somehow if I ever get the chance to one day have a family.

[chefskenzie]

Yes Diane asked a lot of questions about Orientation.  But nothing too inappropriate.  All of the questions were pre-done in advance I am sure.  They also have to ask things people at home will, to quiet down where the media will go with things, and try and keep the focus on the journey.

I think Ms. Jenner decided to dress the way she did, and not make a spectacle so as to give people a way to ease into it, and prepare.

I respect that.

I applaud the courage of her doing this.  Bravo to her, and to Diane Sawyer and ABC.

[Vanny]

My (very recent) ex just Texted me to say she's crying. Apparently it's everything I tried explaining to her but she never understood. Does it really take a celebrity to get people to listen!?!

Yes. Sadly. 


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[wantobeagirl]

I applaud her for doing the interview easing the people into her transition. Hope to be able to see her out and about living as her true self without the media hounding her. Sadly that wont be the case.

[iKate]

You should not believe everything doctors say. It's a risk, not a certainty, both for MTF and FTM. I plan on an orchi, and couldn't care less about kids -- except if I could give birth naturally.

Sadly, we don't have the technology for that yet. Maybe one day artifical uteruses will exist?

It is a risk. I am producing absolutely nothing now. I have kids already though.

[jessical]

Having said that, Im a little confused that someone can be on hrt for 5 years and have 2 kids.  While there is always a rare chance to have children, its very unlikely and usually it makes you completely sterile.  How can he have 2 kids after that?  I don't know, but I was told I can never have kids if I started hrt which was a very difficult thing for me to accept.  This is the case for most people I've talked to, so how was he able to?

He could have banked sperm before he started HRT.

[TransSasha]

I know I will get a little flak for this but ... here goes.  I thought the interview was very good and to me the best part was that he did not spaz out about pronouns. Too many times I have seen or heard of Trans* persons doing us all a disservice by turning a pronoun mistake into a huge deal. Flying off the handle and being so focused on the he/she issue that it took away from the humanity of the situation. Sometimes making cis people completely unwilling to learn about and accept Trans*. I have a friend and he had in the past, friends who transitioned. He was concerned when I told him about my transition because as he said, "They are nut jobs". He respects me and so I dug deeper and it is because of these people flipping out about pronouns, this is why he said they were nuts.  He said that he was always carful to use proper names and pronouns but their other friend (who had all known each other since children) had slipped up a few times and their Trans* friend just lost it. To the point that none of her friends want to be around her anymore.

I love it when people say "she", or "her", Ma'am or Miss when referring to me. Makes me glow. Some of my friends will just never do it, they knew me as "him" for so long. I will never get mad at them or flip out, it just seems trivial to do so. Even with my Mom, who loves me very much. She just has a hard time saying "she" or "her" when referring to me. I called her to tell her she should watch the Jenner interview. She said "I don't know who that is, I don't watch TV... Besides I get to live my own transition story with you." I said "Yup, you get to see your own daughter emerge." She giggled nervously. I asked, "Does that bug you, saying I am your daughter?" She said, "No, its just weird hearing it, I love you no matter what!" 

I do wish Bruce well, and I am glad that he is now open about this and the paparazzi and media can stop speculating.

Bruce can finally wear his nail polish until it chips off! Yay!

Much love to you all!

-Jade

I agree. I think people flip out about the pronoun issue a little too much but that's just my opinion. Also I laughed at the nail polish comment because i thought that way for so long!

[BunnyBee]

I really liked how Jenner brought up how much harder it can be for trans WOC, and I liked how the show chose to spell some of that out.  The show really did take it upon itself to teach and did a pretty good job of it.

I wish that we got a new name and request for proper pronouns because it is pretty awkward to write about respectfully.  It's hard to feel like it's ok to say "Bruce" or "him" when they made it pretty clear they identify as a woman.

Also, Kanye West the trans ally.  Who knew?

[Rachel]

I just watched the interview.

Overall it was well done.

I am sure we will see more of Jenner over the next year.

[iKate]

Ok I will say it.

I liked that Jenner was not the stereotype of an atheist liberal democrat, and I think he's a gun owner too. He said he was a republican and a Christian. I think that is great because I want to see all political parties and the churches accept us. We won't get the fringe nutters but we will win over the middle. Look, I'm a libertarian and unashamed Christian and gun owner myself (both have nothing to do with each other btw). I thought some of my friends I know through local 2nd amendment advocacy organizations would think I am a freak or something. But I've had an unexpected acceptance from a good few of them. One even wants to encourage me to be an advocate for LGBT and 2nd amendment issues, such as what pink pistols does. I'm honestly not sure I want to do that but it goes to show that we are winning over people. Sure I lost a few friends who couldn't stop with the gossip but my other friends have been respectful at least to my face. They're having trouble with pronouns occasionally and one has a fixation on genitals but I'm giving them time and I'm hoping we can do something positive.

[Ian68]

He could have banked sperm before he started HRT.

For transgender women, the only absolute path to sterility is an orchiectomy, and a hysterectomy for trans men.  Femininizing hormones, especially coupled with anti-androgens, will eventually cause sperm production to cease for most people, which may or may not be reversible.  Some women remain fertile indefinitely, some have fertility restored by temporarily going off of HRT, and some are rendered sterile.  For men, T rarely causes permanent sterility, and they can actually become pregnant while on T; if this happens, hormones have to be stopped if the guy intends to carry the child to term.  Most men have highly diminished fertility while on T, and even after stopping it if they've taken it for a long time or are already approaching menopause.

So, yes, trans women can have children while on HRT.  There was a couple interviewed last year, I think, who have three biological kids - both parents are trans. 

If you think that you might ever want biological kids, banking sperm (or eggs) is your safest bet.  Banking eggs costs around $10,000 upfront and then storage fees (part of why I don't want to go on T indefinitely...).  Banking sperm costs around $1,500 per potential offspring, plus storage.

Contrary to popular belief, many transgender people want to and do have genetic offspring post-transition.

[Sabrina]

Last night my mom watched that interview with Bruce Jenner last night and now understands what I'm going through. She is more supportive than ever after watching. There is hope for me yet. After all these years of never truly seeing my own future, it has finally revealed itself. It is good and filled with light. Have faith my sisters, the light will shine on us all.

[Eva Marie]

I don't have cable TV so I couldn't watch it live; I just finished watching the interview on the internet.

I really thought the interview was well done. You have to remember that we are the experts in all of this because we've lived it and judging the show from that position - maybe it could have used a few changes. However, the interview was targeted toward mainstream America that thinks we have all chosen to be this way for nefarious purposes, and from that standpoint I think that Diane Sawyer did a great job. I believe we should offer our support and abstain from any criticism of the interview. This is history in the making; a giant step towards us gaining acceptance.

I will have to admit to reaching for the tissues a few times, especially when the topics of acceptance by his family was touched upon. I think it's great that his mom said that she was proud of him in 76 and is proud of him now, and I think it's great that his relationship with his kids has survived intact and has maybe brought them closer together. I have to admit that I don't have the same level of acceptance and that hit me hard after watching the interview. I hope that some of the people that don't accept me watched the interview.

I also think that he has a lot of very famous people that will defend him when the media steps out of line. You could kind of see it happening during the interview at times. The media companies had better tread lightly in case their bread and butter relationship with the Kardashions gets cut off due to articles that disparage Bruce. I think it is this support system that will work behind the scenes to change peoples hearts and minds.

I wish her success in whatever she chooses to do going forward.