First off, I do agree that any positive exposure for us can only be a good thing. Secondly, my post is worded with respect to the fact that I'm commenting on a person in the public spotlight. I do think it is fair to hold such people to a different standard.

I am having difficulty viewing Caitlyn Jenner as more than another version of the 1% capitalizing upon privilege and access. From my perspective, she has breezed through that which the rest of us have had to work and struggle through for many years. Personally, I believe the struggle, the little victories and setbacks we experience day-to-day, all make us who we are, and we are all the better and stronger for having weathered the storm.

I remember a frightened child who grew up in a repressive Midwestern environment, scared and alone. Her first exposure to transgender culture were the daily horrors of the Jerry Springer Show. She needed a Caitlyn Jenner to do then what Caitlyn is doing now. Having accepted the additional responsibility upon herself as a public figure, she could have saved many trans folk a lot of pain and uncertainty by coming out ~1980 and taking a stand. She proved her strength of character and spirit through her amazing accomplishments as an Olympian, so why did she choose to wait so long?

I am reminded of the classic Spidey adage that 'with great power comes great responsibility'. Indeed, Caitlyn has had the privilege of incredible wealth and status, which currently are prized in American society. She also bears responsibility for the lost opportunity to have helped countless young transgender folk over the last ~30years.

Again, my critique is with respect to a public figure. I am proud of any of us that take up the challenge of facing transition at any age, or under any circumstance.

Am I being unfair? Being a generation behind her, am I asking too much of those who have gone before? I am interested in what others may be willing to share.

Thank you.

Quote from: MugwortPsychonaut on June 03, 2015, 12:46:06 PM
You know what's great about my city's online paper? You can flag hateful messages, and they go away. I suspect most papers are this way. I just flagged several dozen transphobic comments in a Caitlyn Jenner article.

+1 for the good work, check your rep!

Hugs, Devlyn

Quote from: orangeskipper on June 03, 2015, 01:53:21 PM
First off, I do agree that any positive exposure for us can only be a good thing. Secondly, my post is worded with respect to the fact that I'm commenting on a person in the public spotlight. I do think it is fair to hold such people to a different standard.

I am having difficulty viewing Caitlyn Jenner as more than another version of the 1% capitalizing upon privilege and access. From my perspective, she has breezed through that which the rest of us have had to work and struggle through for many years. Personally, I believe the struggle, the little victories and setbacks we experience day-to-day, all make us who we are, and we are all the better and stronger for having weathered the storm.

I remember a frightened child who grew up in a repressive Midwestern environment, scared and alone. Her first exposure to transgender culture were the daily horrors of the Jerry Springer Show. She needed a Caitlyn Jenner to do then what Caitlyn is doing now. Having accepted the additional responsibility upon herself as a public figure, she could have saved many trans folk a lot of pain and uncertainty by coming out ~1980 and taking a stand. She proved her strength of character and spirit through her amazing accomplishments as an Olympian, so why did she choose to wait so long?

I am reminded of the classic Spidey adage that 'with great power comes great responsibility'. Indeed, Caitlyn has had the privilege of incredible wealth and status, which currently are prized in American society. She also bears responsibility for the lost opportunity to have helped countless young transgender folk over the last ~30years.

Again, my critique is with respect to a public figure. I am proud of any of us that take up the challenge of facing transition at any age, or under any circumstance.

Am I being unfair? Being a generation behind her, am I asking too much of those who have gone before? I am interested in what others may be willing to share.

Thank you.

I'm not so sure working on transitioning for three decades qualifies as breezing through. Also, the 1980s weren't a great time for coming out, probably even less so for an iconic male Olympian. Everyone gets to do this at their own pace, and no one owes the community anything, in my opinion.

Hugs, Devlyn

Also, Ms. Jenner stated that concern for her children stayed her hand in the 80s. Many of us have made the same choice. How can we fault her? At that time we had Renée Richards, just as prominent if less a national hero. Given how she was treated, I'm not sure the time was right for a catalyst to be born among us.

Quote from: Devlyn Marie on June 03, 2015, 02:00:43 PM
+1 for the good work, check your rep!

Hugs, Devlyn

Merci boucoups!

A couple of day ago i read thread on some site about Caitlyn and how the media is normalizing and even celebrating what the original poster called a freak show or abomination or words to that effect and that it was an attack on men in society.  Many agreed and nasty things were written but quite a few were appalled and expressed their dislike of such an attitude vehemently.  i went a step further and questioned and attacked their manhood, taunting and aiming with my choice of words to hurt and upset them as much as i could and it worked, i pretty much killed the thread, but i don't feel particularly proud of myself for having done that. i allowed them to upset me.  All i can say in my defense is that reading that insecurity inspired judgmental trashy drivel reminded me of the feeling of being in the midst of loathsome bullies, it really brought out the mean rough side in me.  i just have to learn to steer clear of these so called discussions on other sites, it does me no good to take part in them.  i want to be kind, feminine and understanding, not what i showed that day.

I too have read some nasty or dumb stuff. While I am apprehensive to respond sometimes you can respond with a intelligent response that isn't offensive yet gives your opinion that maybe their view is off. That being said that isn't always easy either and some you wont convince either but we have to fight to a degree. Just hard to fight the oppressors for fear of being oppressed as strange as that sounds.

I couldnt imagine going through my entire life living in a shadow. I applaud Caitlyn for doing what she did. and she did it with class and style. I overlook the transphobic crap

One of my friends (a former LEO) said Jenner is a man because he (she) has a penis. I told him where to stuff himself. He said come on I know when they put inmates in jail that if you have a penis you go with the men.

I told him well bud, if you are so ignorant you belong on my unfriend list and for what it's worth the prison policy sucks. So I unfriended him. He has a big apology for me. I'm not accepting anything less than a FULL apology.

Should have said this earlier but Devlyn you are absolutely right she owes only herself to go at the pace she is comfortable with . Sadly I am sure due to the spotlight she will be pushed a bit more then she would like which would make her journey harder.