Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Protesters: Caitlyn Jenner Doesn't Represent Trans People

http://www.advocate.com/transgender/2015/11/12/protesters-caitlyn-jenner-doesnt-represent-trans-people

The Advocate/By Trudy Ring November 12 2015 9:54 PM EST

"Caitlyn Jenner, leaving a speaking engagement in Chicago today, encountered some angry protesters who called her "an insult to trans people" and "an insult to women."

Jenner gave a luncheon address at a Hilton hotel as part of a fundraising event for Chicago House, a nonprofit that was established in the 1980s to provide housing and case management to people with HIV or AIDS and expanded in 2013 with the TransLife Center, a program offering supportive housing and social services to transgender people, regardless of HIV status."

I can understand why some of us would feel this way. Especially myself and other trans folk of color. But now that I think about it, why does only Caitlyn Jenner have to represent trans people? That sounds like alot of responsibility for one person to possess. I honestly can see the flaw in that. Sounds like Cait needs some back up or something. And at least she is putting forth the effort to be an advocate for trans people, even if she may not seem appropriate enough in this position, to some of us.

~Nixy~

How many of us are rich and have been discriminated against as well?

We should ALL have the right to fight for TG rights. AS we are all in the same book as well.
Is she not a TG?

Does one have to be poor only to fight for TG rights?

I wonder what would have happened to her if she was not an olympic star or married a Kardashian

Some may not like the way Caitlyn has access to what ever she wants, due to her riches and popularity. Some may not like the way she comes across as not knowing the issues of most trans people.  I believe that her message is what is important.  Her speech at the espys. was selfless and called a need to trans kids and the issues they face. In her TV show she was benevolent to trans people who just needed a break. She spoke to kids and their families.
I wont say that im her biggest fan, we need to look at some of the good she has done not just all the faux pas and diva moments that so many bring to attention.

Caitlyns show has introduced us to other trans women, whom are good role models, but are really low on the radar as far as exposure.  We dont have to like her but she deserves to be  shown some respect for the good she has done.

I like her

I can understand the anger of those who have been marginalized and denied an equal opportunity. That being said, Caitlyn is not whom they need to be angry at.

Creating conflict where there is none, when there are a lot of better causes to be fought for. I liker her too - Never been a fan of reality TV but i guess it is a good gig if you can get it.

Caitlyn worked for and earned her money and has every right to it.

The unfortunate part about her money is that it erects a barrier between her and the rest of the community because she is not forced to live the same way and make the same difficult choices that other community members have had to make.

Here's a thought - isn't that criticism similar to the argument that the TERFs make against us? That we have lived privileged lives and that we haven't endured the same things as biological women so we can't be women? Hmmm......

It's sad when the trans community tears down and ostracizes one of our own because she doesn't fit someone's idea of what being transgender is.

Caitlyn is still a baby - she just came out recently and like the rest of us is finding her way forward and is making mistakes. She did some silly rich girl stuff on her show but how much of that was her and how much of that was the producers of the show wanting some drama? And of course none of us did silly girl stuff when we first transitioned, right?

If you ignored the silly drama on I am Cait you saw the real Caitlyn - the speech at the Espys, the trip to the HRC in San Francisco, the earnest talks with her friends accepting their criticism, and so on. I believe that she does care about the community and as she grows and matures the silly stuff that she's being judged for will stop. She is in a unique position to help the community and I think thats where her heart lies.

   I see a woman trying to find herself much like the rest of the, the fact that she has to do so under the microscopic scrutiny of both the media and the transgender community can not be an easy thing to deal with. While she may not share my political views or my economic status it is no reason to vilify her. She is still growing as person and may surprise us all.
   While I do not like that the media has latched onto her as the current face of the transgender community, that is not her fault it is just part of the medias intellectual laziness to explore issues in depth. What comes along with this is she has to endure the hate and bile of the knuckle dragging bigots of the world; she should not have to deal with the scorn of members of the community as well.  I would hope most rational people realize she is no more representative of us than Jennifer Anniston or Sandra Bullock are of cis women.   We should not be fighting among ourselves and dividing ourselves  between the haves and have nots just as we should not be divisive over those who pass easily, those that don't, and those that transition young versus those that transition later in life. 

I just watched the video of the protest and I find it totally insulting to the transgender community. I will not post that video.

We're all in the same foxhole here so we better fight together against the enemy which is ignorance and discrimination for sure. Add if you like. Some people need to take a step back and realize this.


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I absolutely adore Caitlyn Jenner. I think she represents in a good way, but shes not the only public figure.

I have expressed my views which is that I admire her courage to speak out. So few of us do so. Sadly the Trans world has so many egos to contend with and each feel their way is the only way. I also see that it's not only about Trans but about those that have money snd that's a different topic.

Well duh, Caitlyn Jenner represents Caitlyn Jenner.  Those protesters represent those protesters, and not all trans people.

Quote from: brie33 on November 13, 2015, 12:07:16 AM
In her TV show she was benevolent to trans people who just needed a break. She spoke to kids and their families.
I wont say that im her biggest fan, we need to look at some of the good she has done not just all the faux pas and diva moments that so many bring to attention.

Caitlyns show has introduced us to other trans women, whom are good role models, but are really low on the radar as far as exposure.  We dont have to like her but she deserves to be  shown some respect for the good she has done.

Perfect.


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Caitlyn is in her early stages of living out and proud. She worked very hard for her money and is able to live a life most of us can only dream of. I am not a wealthy person and I am incredibly lucky to have been able to transition in 1 year. I paid for everything myself. I also live on my own. I work 4 days a week and make $10 per hour. My rent is cheap because I rent out a small room. I eat ramen noodle on the regular. I wear $25 jeans from JCPenny, white t shirts from Wal-Mart and $20 shoes from Ross. I went to therapy, paid out of pocket for testosterone, and paid for my top surgery. No one helped me. I am aware of the struggles of transition. I was discriminated against several times. Life wasn't easy, but I kept going. I'm a few days past 1 year on t and in a few days will be 3 months post top surgery. We aren't born with the knowledge of trans issues. Think back to when you first realized you were trans. Did you automatically know the ins and outs of trans issues. I sure didn't. Why? Because gender dysphoria differs from person to person. You may have an issue with your birth name and yet others may not care. Let us remember that we were all in Caitlyns shoes at one point. We all asked the same questions. Together we created our community. We should stand together and be there for each other. We must work hard to teach others of our struggles and fight for what we need to live in peace. Life is short. It's not right to cast out our own people just because they have more money and can transition faster than others. I'm not rich and I had surgery because I worked hard to get it done. Will this cause me to not have trans friends? I do not live stealth because I was able to transition at work. Yeah, I had an issue with one person, but I put him in his place very quickly and my boss stepped in and stood along side me. My advice to anyone going through transition is have confidence in yourself. Be your best you. Take pride in your accomplishments no matter how big or small they may be.

:)

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