During her ESPYs speech, Jenner went out of her way not only to talk about the struggling, bullied transgender youth every where but the challenges facing transgender women of color specifically. She mentioned advocates like Laverne Cox and Janet Mock, but also those whose lives we’ve lost like Mercedes Williamson.
acceptable problems to have with Caitlyn Jenner, you go, you critique those mainstream narratives
as a wealthy, white celebrity, her experiences aren’t representative of those of most trans women
she’s described herself as conservative, which, even though she hopes to make the Republican Party more trans-inclusive, implies some other oppressive views
a lot of trans people don’t conform to cis beauty standards and that’s just fine
the narrative of visibility as a goal is really problematic for trans people who are placed in danger by hypervisibility
“trans media moments” like this don’t do very much if they focus on one successful trans person instead of the systematic oppression we face
cis “allies” who fetishize trans women but don’t show up when trans people need solidarity
unacceptable problems to have with Caitlyn Jenner, get off my blog, you transphobic trashpile
you think trans people are gross
you think trans people’s identities aren’t valid
you’re uncomfortable finding trans women attractive
seriously if you have any issue with Caitlyn Jenner being trans, shut the fuck up and please never speak again
I have some issues with the acceptable critiques of Caitlyn Jenner.
While she is not representative of the majority of trans women, she doesn’t claim to be and it doesn’t mean she shouldn’t be able to share her story.
She’s been conservative for a good while to my (admittedly weak) knowledge. Criticizing her now vs. criticizing literally every other conservative celeb is problematic.
Does Caitlyn ever say that not conforming to cis beauty standards isn’t ok for trans women to do? If she wanted to conform that is her decision.
As long as Caitlyn Jenner transitioned there was inevitably going to be huge media coverage and visibility. Caitlyn in my opinion chose the right path since an in depth conversation of about transphobia, pronouns, respect in a wider audience is so much more constructive than tabloids filled with transphobia.
Caitlin isn’t in control of what the media tells about and did this for her well being.
Cis allies are going to suck, that’s not Caitlyn’s fault it’s the shitty allies.
Like I feel these are problems with media and it’s portrayal of Caitlyn Jenner, not of Caitlyn Jenner as the post frames it.
Idk it’s 5 am and I haven’t slept yet so if I’m missing the point/wrong/offensive I apologize in advance and please let me know.
On May 29, 2014, the issue of timemagazine magazine which proclaimed the “Transgender Tipping Point” was revealed with me on the cover. June 1, 2015 a year and 3 days later, Caitlyn Jenner’s vanityfair cover was revealed proclaiming #CallMeCaitlyn
I am so moved by all the love and support Caitlyn is receiving. It feels like a new day, indeed, when a trans person can present her authentic self to the world for the first time and be celebrated for it so universally.
Many have commented on how gorgeous Caitlyn looks in her photos, how she is “slaying for the Gods.” I must echo these comments in the vernacular, “Yasss Gawd! Werk Caitlyn! Get it!”
But this has made me reflect critically on my own desires to ‘work a photo shoot’, to serve up various forms of glamour, power, sexiness, body affirming, racially empowering images of the various sides of my black, trans womanhood.
I love working a photo shoot and creating inspiring images for my fans, for the world and above all for myself. But I also hope that it is my talent, my intelligence, my heart and spirit that most captivate, inspire, move and encourage folks to think more critically about the world around them.
Yes, Caitlyn looks amazing and is beautiful but what I think is most beautiful about her is her heart and soul, the ways she has allowed the world into her vulnerabilities. The love and devotion she has for her family and that they have for her. Her courage to move past denial into her truth so publicly. These things are beyond beautiful to me.
A year ago when my Time magazine cover came out I saw posts from many trans folks saying that I am “drop dead gorgeous” and that that doesn’t represent most trans people. (It was news to be that I am drop dead gorgeous but I’ll certainly take it). But what I think they meant is that in certain lighting, at certain angles I am able to embody certain cisnormative beauty standards. Now, there are many trans folks because of genetics and/or lack of material access who will never be able to embody these standards. More importantly many trans folks don’t want to embody them and we shouldn’t have to to be seen as ourselves and respected as ourselves . It is important to note that these standards are also infomed by race, class and ability among other intersections.
I have always been aware that I can never represent all trans people. No one or two or three trans people can. This is why we need diverse media representstions of trans folks to multiply trans narratives in the media and depict our beautiful diversities.
I started #TransIsBeautiful as a way to celebrate all those things that make trans folks uniquely trans, those things that don’t necessarily align with cisnormative beauty standards. For me it is necessary everyday to celebrate every aspect of myself especially those things about myself that don’t align with other people’s ideas about what is beautiful. #TransIsBeautiful is about, whether you’re trans or not, celebrating all those things that make us uniquely ourselves.
Most trans folks don’t have the privileges Caitlyn and I have now have. It is those trans folks we must continue to lift up, get them access to healthcare, jobs, housing, safe streets, safe schools and homes for our young people. We must lift up the stories of those most at risk, statistically trans people of color who are poor and working class.
I have hoped over the past few years that the incredible love I have received from the public can translate to the lives of all trans folks. Trans folks of all races, gender expressions, ability, sexual orientations, classes, immigration status, employment status, transition status, genital status etc.. I hope, as I know Caitlyn does, that the love she is receiving can translate into changing hearts and minds about who all trans people are as well as shifting public policies to fully support the lives and well being of all of us.
The struggle continues…
