My Life As LGBTQ+: Volume 1

Caitlyn Jenner: A Publicity Stunt?

I'm sure all of you guys know who Caitlyn Jenner is, if not just search her up quickly so this chapter will make more sense.

Today in English class, we were having a nice and thoughtful discussion about the play we just finished. I was really enjoying it and it was going good, and then the topic of modern reality TV was brought up in compariosn to our play. Suddenly, out of completely nowhere, our teacher says something along the lines of this.

"Like the whole Caitlyn Jenner thing. I think it's a publicity stunt. (He is referring to her coming out as trans). She's made so much money off of it, and I think in a year's time he'll go back to being Bruce."

Now this teacher isn't transphobic at all, and I sort of understand where he's coming from when he says that. He just simply believes that Caitlyn did all of it for the money and the reputation of a hero to some people. It is definitely a possibilty that she did this all just for money and she'll go back to being Bruce eventually. That is a very real and possible thing that could happen, I'm not denying that. From my point of view, I know nothing about Caitlyn's past career or where she stood in the media and things like that, so I don't have all the facts to have a very backed up opinion on whether Caitlyn did come out as trans as a publicity stunt.

However, that doesn't mean I agree with my teacher. I highly doubt someone, no matter how much they may have wanted the money and fame, would go to the lengths of coming out as transgender just to have it all. I just don't think my teacher realizes that there are a lot of people in the media, and normal citizens as well, that have a burning hatred and disgust with Caitlyn. And they don't hide it. Do you really someone would go through something like a sex change, having to be seen as a completely different person by most peers/family, countless interviewers asking the same rude and invasive questions, discrimination from a very large amount of people, as well as going from having the privileges of being a man to being a transwoman in a society like ours?

Maybe its just me, but I don't think any human would intentionally go through that just for money and a reputation as a hero (as well as many bad reputations).

If you are someone who is trans,  I urge you to look at this situation from an outside perspective, as I tried to do. I am very eager to see what you all have to say about this and am just as curious to hear your opinions.