As anticipated by many, last night during a one-on-one interview with Diane Sawyer, former Olympian Bruce Jenner came out as transgender. I have a lot of respect for him being brave enough to go on national television to share his story. Coming out as gay was terribly difficult for me - as two suicide attempts underscored - so I cannot imagine the how difficult it must be to come out as transgender. Unfortunately, being gay in today's society is a cake walk compared to what transgendered individuals face - particularly given the foul, hateful campaigns the Christofascists love to launch about men in dresses in women's restrooms. One can only hope that Jenner's coming out will open minds and change hearts. Each of us is born with a given sexuality and internalized gender. We do not pick and choose, yet far too many individuals - myself included for many years - feel compelled to try to conform to family and societal expectations. The internal, psychological cost is horrific. Jenner conceded that he was unfair to the women he married, yet the sad truth is he likely felt that he had no option but to conform. In addition, even though wives of gays who later don't often grasp it, we do/did love them when we married them. Just not in the y way they deserved. Also, let's not forget that even homosexuality was classified as a mental illness until 1973. Would anyone happily have admitted they were transgendered? Of course not. Here are highlights from The Advocate:
For decades we knew this person as Bruce Jenner, as a man, an Olympian, the guy on the Wheaties box, the man who married into the Kardashian clan and became a reality TV celebrity. Now we also know Jenner is a woman, and that his transition began 30 years ago.
The interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer started with Jenner explaining having "always been confused with my gender identity, since I was this big." Jenner imagines God creating "a smart kid" with "all these qualities." But, "wait a second, got to give him something to deal with. Let's give him the soul of a female."
Sawyer asked, "Are you a woman?" "For all intents and purposes," said Jenner, "I'm a woman."
Jenner, who Sawyer said prefers male pronouns at this time, even though he also referred to himself as "Bruce" and "her," said his transition actually began 30 years ago.
Sawyer's interview was the culmination of more than a year of rumor, speculation, mockery and tabloid sensationalism. Some of that is due to the nature of Jenner’s participation in Keeping Up With The Kardashians on E!, and being a part of a family that lives in the public eye, open to nearly 24/7 scrutiiny by paparazzi. But it's also a reflection of the state of society when it comes to acceptance of trans people and understanding of gender identity.
"Were you fair to these women you married?" Sawyer asked.
"No, I was not as fair as I should have been," Jenner says.
"Do you look back and say, I apologize for that?"
"Yeah, and I have apologized to everyone. Everybody. I’ve apologized for my entire life."
Jenner brushed off the suggestion the coming out interview is all a publicity stunt by promising to turn this moment into a chance to help others. "What I am doing is going to do some good," Jenner promised, "we’re gonna make a difference in the world."
Even before the interview ended, activist groups such as GLAAD were already praising the example set to the world and the potential impact it will have on its own.
"Today, millions of people learned that someone they know is transgender," said GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis in a statement. "By sharing this story, Bruce Jenner has shined a light on what it means to be transgender and live authentically in the face of unimaginable public scrutiny. Though Jenner's journey is one that is deeply personal, it is also one that will impact and inspire countless people around the world."
I wish Jenner luck as he moves forward and hope that his family will be supportive. I expect that he will face many vile attacks, especially from the foul "godly Christian" folk.
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