(Click through slideshow.)
My cousin texted me the other day with screenshots of these posts from people on Instagram in response to Caitlyn Jenner coming out (I blocked out people’s names to protect their privacy). I’ve been seeing posts like these all over Facebook too, and it makes me upset to see how close minded people are.
So I thought I would respond with a blog post.
First of all, bravery is not an exclusive term. Yes, people in the armed forces, firefighters, policeman, and people who perform a service to our country are brave. Caitlyn Jenner coming out and being who she is after 65 years of not being able to do so, after being afraid of what other people would think and what the media would say is brave, too. It’s not a competition, and there are a lot of different ways you can be brave.
Second of all, Caitlyn Jenner represented a hyper masculine, all-American, guys guy for a very long time. It was/is shocking to most Americans to see her as something that is the opposite of that. However, that does not make it right to judge, criticize or slander her transition and her identity as a female.
Third of all, think about why it took so long for Caitlyn to show us who she really is. Heteronormativity has been forced on her her whole life. Actually, heteronormativity is forced on everyone from birth, and because of this any time anyone deviates from a normalized/accepted gender role they are made to feel ashamed of who they are. These posts are examples of that. You say that Caitlyn Jenner is being shoved down our throats? She’s really not, and that’s really not the problem. The problem is that we are trained not to accept it and see it as normal. The more representation of transgender people there are, the more normal and accepted it will become and there will be fewer people who are afraid to be themselves, which is why this is so important.
Fourth of all, Caitlyn Jenner coming out has been getting a lot of press, because of the fame Jenner generated from the 1976 Olympics and because of the Kardashian family. There are also (obviously) a lot of important topics out there that the news doesn’t cover, but that’s the fault of the media nowadays. They are biased and don’t always do the right thing. However, that doesn’t make LGBT issues any less important, and because Caitlyn Jenner is so famous and because the media covers her and her family’s life anyway, it brings to light a lot of these issues, whether or not that was her intention. I think that her coming out wasn’t an act of selfishness, but an act of self acceptance.
If I’m at all politically incorrect in my explanation/response, please let me know! I don’t want to be offensive in any way with the terms I used.
Amanda Under Construction 
Your post is such a thoughtful thought inducing post, It is well reasoned and kind. All of your points make sense! Thank you for writing such a wonderful caring post.
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Thank you so much! I appreciate you reading it and responding. 🙂
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Reactions on the internet towards things like this really get to me sometimes, I can’t understand how people can be so close minded. It’s a shame that internet lends itself as such an easy tool for this kind of ignorance. I agree with everything you have to say, good arguments! 🙂
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Hi Alicia!
These things bother me and frustrate me so much. I choose not to respond a lot of the time because I don’t want to get into crazy Internet fights, but I just wanted to post something on WordPress to clear things up and try and educate people. Thank you for reading. ❤
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Yeah, same here. WordPress is a great place to vent! I’ve responded in the past and in the end it just seems pointless because the kind of people that post those things just seem to repeat the same arguments over and over. It’s sad really.
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Yes, exactly! They repeat the same arguments over and over, and they’re not willing to listen or learn. That’s why I come here, where I feel safe and where I feel like people would actually read what I have to say and try and understand. You know?
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Definitely! 🙂
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First off, let me say that your posts are full of personality. I really enjoyed reading this specific post , because its just such a controversial subject and i really do enjoy reading everyones different point of views. Its crazy how much press has been generated though. In the area I live in the Vanity Fair issue she is on is sold out in a lot of grocery stores. Times are changing, and I am looking forward to seeing how this movement molds things. Hopefully things change and shape for the better.
Also I’m going to make sure I follow you on twitter. I love when people have their other social pages up =D
http://theeleventhletter.net
xoxo.KC
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Thank you so much for reading it! ❤
It is a bit overwhelming how much publicity her transition has been generating, but it's a really important topic that needs to be opened up, changed and viewed differently, and normalized.
Also YES follow me on Twitter! I'll follow you back. 🙂
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lol no problem ! I look forward to reading more =)
& I found you on twitter, I was able to follow through the widget. I’m
KC_Maree ❤
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Just followed you back! 🙂 xx
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