Jenner’s transition has generated a great deal of press, prompting a discussion of how LGBTQ celebrities are viewed. Casey Rodgers/AP
By Meghan Campbell
The world has made tremendous strides in recognizing members of the LGBTQ community both within society and among Hollywood icons. Popular television shows like “The Fosters” and “Modern Family” have portrayed main characters who are members of the LGBTQ community and, throughout their seasons, address many of the issues LGBTQ people face in the real world.
Many celebrities who identify as part of the LGBTQ community have made their sexual orientation public, serving as role models to others. Comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres has been married to her partner Portia de Rossi for seven years and commonly speaks about their relationship on her show. Similarly, actor Neil Patrick Harris married his long-time boyfriend David Burtka in 2014, and the two are now the proud fathers of four-year-old twins, Harper and Gideon, of whom Harris often posts adorable Instagram photos of.
DeGeneres and Harris are two of America’s most beloved TV stars; practically no one has anything bad to say about them. But, when they both first came out to the public, they were faced with some backlash. After having her character openly claim to be gay on her show “Ellen,” and after coming out on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in 1997, DeGeneres was faced with some extremely harsh criticism, which ultimately resulted in her show ending a year later. Harris officially came out to the public in 2006, receiving a large amount of criticism, and was placed on MBC’s ‘Gay List of Shame.’ Harris addressed the critics by stating: “I am happy to dispel any rumors or misconceptions and am quite proud to say that I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest…” But, times have changed since DeGeneres and Harris made their sexual orientations public. Can the press really justify their current behavior during a time of greater LGBTQ acceptance?
Paparazzi have recently been keeping an eye on actress Kristen Stewart and Alicia Cargill, Stewart’s recent girlfriend, after the two were seen together in Hawaii in early January. But, while photos have been taken of the couple shopping together, holding hands and kissing, many magazines still refer to the two as “close friends,” “BFFs” and “gal pals.” Stewart is currently taking a small break from acting after the release of her movie Still Alice and has yet to comment on her relationship. Last year, paparazzi also focused on Cara Delevingne and her girlfriend Michelle Rodriguez. Throughout their relationship, the media and fans constantly questioned Delevingne’s sexual orientation. While Rodriguez publicly recognizes herself as bisexual, Delevingne chose to address the questions by posting online, “I am who I am, your approval is not needed.” The couple has since broken up and moved on to respective heterosexual relationships.
Olympic gold-medalist and reality TV star Bruce Jenner has been the source of extreme criticism recently after a source close to the family confirmed to People her decision to transition to a woman. While the news came as a shock to family and fans alike, the general response was one of support. The media appears to be taking the news in a totally different direction. Many articles seem to be treating Jenner’s decision as a joke. InTouch magazine went as far as to Photoshop Jenner with makeup and women’s clothing on the cover of one of its recent magazines. The public blew up in rage at the picture, bashing the magazine for its ignorant take on Jenner’s decision. However, People and other news outlets, such as Perez Hilton’s website, have used the news of Jenner’s transformation as an opportunity to educate people about the mental and physical evolution for transgender individuals.
Jenner has been undergoing this procedure for about a year but only recently made his decision public. Back in January, Jenner underwent a laryngeal shave, a procedure that shaves down the size of the Adam’s apple. He has also been seen with longer hair, manicured nails and makeup. Overall, insiders claim he is going about his transition in a very smart fashion, choosing to make subtle changes over a long period of time.
Jenner is said to be filming his transition and plans on releasing the docu-series when he sees fit. Until then, supporters can only hope that the media will change their portrayal of Jenner’s transformation and while respecting her decision and privacy.
Prove Jenner is a woman and I will support the concept of trans people. Fact is, Jenner is a dude with male genitals and has never had a true female thought in his life. The idea that people can declare their own “identities” and invent their own pronouns is ripe for abuse by people who have a pathological need to feel special or unique. Consider the family that Jenner is/was a part of and how (and why…lol) they became famous. He’s just following the same absurd script to make money. And the fact so many people who transition later de-transition strongly suggests that the trans movement is more about people living out a fetish than an actual gender identity.
That said, if a dude wants to live as a woman, he should be free to do so. After all, it’s no skin off my or your nose. But that doesn’t mean I must follow his script to the point of absurdity. For example, adopting absurd pronouns (e.g., “ze, zir, vaginamagicas) is just proof of “look at me…I’m totally special and unique and I demand to be the center of attention so that’s why I came out as a trans person.” That’s a non-starter. You get male or female pronouns because sex and gender are binary with a few (intersex) exceptions that are not numerous enough to force the world to change. If Bruce wants to be referred to by female pronouns…that’s cool. But anything else should require proof that a male with meat and veg can be born a female.