I know B. Jenner is exciting and trans people are exciting and – well, not so much for me. As I was saying to my wife recently, I wish the only people who did work on trans people found them incredibly boring and ordinary — otherwise the whole “look at this weird exotic thing” happens and it always depresses me.
Aside from the obvious tropes, Allyson Robinson wrote a good piece about why she didn’t watch, which I’m going to summarize: 1) Jenner coming out doesn’t change the work that needs to be done, 2) If anything, Jenner coming out has just increased the work to be done, and 3) the media is a poor tool for the work because it is always, always based on consumerism and advertising dollars. But do go read the whole thing as she makes key points on each of these issues, and her analysis of the usefulness connects right back to why the Trans Documentary Drinking Game exists in the first place.
Also, there’s this: Jenner’s a Republican, and I can honestly say that is disheartening even if it’s not surprising; there are quite a lot of trans Republicans out there, and I think they’re pretty much deluded that the Republican party will be open to defending trans rights — especially at this moment in time where nearly a dozen Republicans have drafted bills that encourage people to report trans people for using the “wrong” bathroom in public places, with some of them offering as much as a $4k bounty.
Wealthy celebrity athletes and reality shows don’t interest me much either.
But mostly, what Robinson says: there’s work to be done and there will be more as a result. So I’m glad for Jenner and glad for anyone whose families come around a little and glad for new allies who will help in the future, but in the meantime: back to it.
“Also, there’s this: Jenner’s a Republican, and I can honestly say that is disheartening even if it’s not surprising; there are quite a lot of trans Republicans out there, and I think they’re pretty much deluded that the Republican party will be open to defending trans rights — especially at this moment in time where nearly a dozen Republicans have drafted bills that encourage people to report trans people for using the “wrong” bathroom in public places, with some of them offering as much as a $4k bounty.”
Helen, I know why you feel the way you do, but isn’t this carrying partisanship to counter-productive levels? Republicans (who garner at least 45% of the votes in any national election, and dominate many states) are exactly the party one must win over to put an end to this rear-guard nasty legislation and the discrimination which lingers for a long time even after the laws have been changed. A lot of Republicans became pro-gay rights when they discovered their kids, siblings, or closest friends were gay. Mitch McConnell may be a hopeless case (although I think he’d do anything if he thought there were political mileage in it), but by constantly re-branding the Republicans as a whole as THE anti-gay, anti-trans, anti-sex, puritan party, aren’t we handing reactionaries a victory they ought to have to be fighting for, and hopefully will one day lose? There are plenty of libertarians who feel uneasy about all these governmental intrusions on behavior between consenting adults, and even the much-reviled Koch brothers have apparently supported the cause of same-sex marriage. Driving a wedge between social moderates and the reactionaries is exactly what we should want to be doing, I think.
I also agree with the writer here.. As a post -op trans woman I get so bored watching all the media HYPE devoted to the actors and athletes who come out as trans. Are they really promoting or should I say, being a positive force in the cause of human rights for us all?
It is so frustrating to me to see a minority being promoted as role models only due to their status and wealth. Do not get see me as some one envious or jealous. Going through my transition has been quite a pleasurable and positive event compared to the plight of many who are struggling in their daily lives just to survive. Why does the media not do more documentaries on the real people , the teachers, spiritual leaders, medical professionals and the rest of us who are just out here trying to live normal mainstream lives.
As a retired airline pilot who came out in a very male dominated profession, I was NO ROLE MODEL, just an ordinary woman trying, and to this day, just to fit in as a functioning human being..But, in all fairness , I do wish the people in the spotlight much happiness in their journey…thank you.
I also didn’t watch, for reasons I wrote up here: https://translucidity.wordpress.com/2015/04/16/on-bruce-jenner-and-the-media/
My spouse is transitioning from male to female, and will probably be coming out to the world at large in the near future, so this issue is close to my heart. I have nothing but support and admiration for Bruce Jenner, but I hate the way the whole thing has been handled by the media.
I do have to say that I’m thankful for the outpouring of support I’m seeing for Bruce Jenner on social media as a result of the interview. Even if some of the publicity has been distasteful, I’m willing to hope at this point that the overall effect will be positive.
I despair when I hear of these things. I just think how crap I’d have been if somebody had interviewed me back during the throes. Jenner’s an over privileged arsehole, sure, but is he really any worse than any of us?
The problem with teh trans is that it takes years to learn about yourself. Years. Identities are nuanced, and you don’t wake up one morning knowing. It’s a process, and a very long one. But the media cares not for long gradual awakenings. They want the cliches and the sound bites. And the newly minted are great at providing those.
This isn’t the last time we’ll all cringe.