Got to say, that Vanity Fair cover is damned impressive, even allowing for makeup and Photoshop. But the more important story for me is all the people talking about her “courage” relative to another athlete, or a soldier, or some such. Often, in a mocking tone.
The fact that a percentage of soldiers lose bowel control their first time on the battlefield is empirical evidence that you need real courage to be a soldier. And that gay or transgender people sometimes commit suicide, is also evidence that courage is required to face society as your unpopular, true self. Stop comparing them.
I salute Caitlyn Jenner’s courage. It isn’t lessened by the fact that she is rich and has a lot of support. I’m just saying, be on the lookout for the trans person who isn’t rich, or who does not succeed in being conventionally beautiful, or who is rejected by his or her support group, and is all alone. Be a friend. Or at the very. least. don’t let someone make them a punch line in some goddamned heartless joke. (I’m lookin’ at YOU, Huck).
Life is full of all kinds of pain. Even if we don’t understand all of it, we can try to care about all the people bearing it. And try not to make it worse for them.
NOTES:
- UPDATE: In June of 2017 I don’t know what to make of Jenner. Yes, it took courage for her to come out. No, I don’t have an explanation for why she’s identifying with people who think she is an abomination before the lord. And most of all, her reaction to the GOP baseball shooting has erased any vestige of warm regard I ever had for her:
Caitlyn Jenner on congressional baseball shooting: “Liberals can’t even shoot straight” - Discuss on Facebook, G+, and Twitter
- Must admit I had to look up Bruce Jenner. Really don’t follow sports much.
georgewiman 