Hatin’ on Caitlyn
© 2015 by Dallas Denny
Source: Denny, Dallas. (2015, 5 June). Hatin’ on Caitlyn. Chrysalis Quarterly, 2(1).
Hatin’ On Caitlyn
Over on FaceBook trans* people are trashing Caitlyn Jenner. Not everyone is, of course, but more than you might think, considering the positive way most of America is handling her transition. Just yesterday I saw her reviled by trans* people for, among other things, her fame, her wealth and its associated privilege, her whiteness, her television shows, her political affiliation, her relationship with her family, her late transition, her attractiveness, and her high femme presentation in Annie Leibovitz’ photo spread in Vanity Fair. Some of those seated most securely on the bandwagon deny they are hating on Caitlyn, but of course they are.
There’s legitimate concern that newly-out Caitlyn will pull a Zoey Tur (i.e. spout transphobic nonsense). I think that unlikely, but Caitlyn has a powerful media presence and she could potentially do a lot of damage. Many are offended by Caitlyn’s having been called a role model for the transgender community by Rachel Maddow and others. Many are offended because Caitlyn had the clout to land a two-hour-long interview on national television with Diane Sawyer and the cover of Vanity Fair. Some are offended because she has declared herself a Republican. Some resent her because she’s not CeCe McDonald or Sylvia Rivera or any of the other tens of thousands of us and they fear attention paid to her will reduce attention to the plight of trans* people of color and those of us in reduced financial circumstances (it does to some extent, but mostly most of us were already being ignored). Some say it’s unfortunate Caitlyn played pretty and passable in Vanity Fair and consider that antifeminist. But for many, I am sure, it’s just sour damn grapes.
Everybody’s arc through life is different, and in some ways Caitlyn’s is far removed from most of us. We are not Olympic Decathalon winners, we’ve not had our photo on Wheaties boxes, and we’ve not had a long-running reality show on television. We’re not famous. On the other hand, Caitlyn has lived and overcome the fear, shame, and self-doubt felt by most of us. Eventually, like many of us, she transcended all that and, in the face of a ravenous and opportunistic media, transitioned gender roles. Many of us with far less at risk never get that far.
So yes, Caitlyn Jenner is my hero in way all trans* people are my heroes. When you’re trans*, just getting up in the morning can be damn difficult. I empathize with her struggles and applaud her for getting so far. In that she’s no different from any of the rest of us. I applaud all of us, even the ones currently hating on Caitlyn.
Ms. Denny.,
A former analyst of behavior in my resume of training, It’s’ my opinion that not watching so called, “reality broadcasts,” is a non snobbish way of preserving your dignity. Watching Trump or Caitlyn, exposes them as not as inclusive as your objective depiction of Cait is, without coming off as a sycophant. Ego centered Turf wars and feuds lack constructive merit but electing herself as a Messianic character who takes slings & arrows for you is pushing it?
I did your hat’ in-Caitlin thing and I applaud you. For a “kid” she’s doing all the right stuff.
Thanks again Dallas!! A friend and I were just talking about this very subject at dinner tonight. we both like Caytlin very much.
Dallas, C. Jenner, L. Cox and all the others that have been praised by the world’s media as representing what it is to be transsexual and transgender are just so out of sync with what it means to most of us who have to live this life. They are our “heroines” just as much as Marie Antonette was a heroine to the poor French women on the streets of Paris. You might have to try to stop being the reality TV fan and do a reality check instead.
Erm, I don’t watch reality television and your analogy doesn’t work. Marie Antoinette was, depending upon whom one consults, either a naive young woman who had no idea poor people didn’t have cake or profoundly detached and disinterested in the French populace and trying to be funny with the cake remark. Most likely she actively participated in the oppression of the people and so was their enemy. Caitlin Jenner and Laverne Cox are not our enemies, they are of us and are us. Privileged, yes, but Laverne, certainly, and Caitlyn, almost as certainly, are interested in helping the world understand us. Do they think they’re all that? Possibly, but so do lots of non famous and non affluent transpeople.
It’s in the nature of the media to seize upon the attractive, the talented, the affluent, and the famous among us. Plenty of us who aren’t rich or famous get our stories told. We aren’t powerless or without a voice. We blog and vlog, publish books, talk to reporters, and tell our stories. So far as I’m concerned, the more the merrier.
The most important consideration, IMHO, is that the way transwomen people see and critique Caitlyn, is exactly the same as the way society in general sees and critiques transwomen. If we want to be accepted for our decisions on how we present ourselves into society and work, then we MUST accept Caitlyn for those things in her own life
As usual,Dallas,you are right on point. Transgender is multifaceted and with a diverse group, there will always be diversity, and with diversity, different viewpoints as their are variations in our culture. I supported Jenner nearly a year ago in my blog whe i first heard and suspected that privacy and stealth would be unlikely for someone of her stature and public reputation. Well said. The trans community also be unconditionally accepting and tolerant of others beliefs and sexual expression.
Oh, my, Dallas, once again you have gotten in front of the issue and have called it correctly. You continue to be in the forefront our community’s leadership. Thanks and Love, Dana