By Monique
As I wrote yesterday, Caitlyn Jenner’s Vanity Fair cover took social media by storm and it’s shockwaves are still being felt. But, while there is much reason to celebrate, there’s also a fair amount of discussion that’s now taking place, a lot of which is necessary to pause, read, and take in.
Overall, the theme of the conversations stem around cisnormative and Eurocentric standards of beauty and the danger of fetishizing or boxing in transgender identity, particularly when it comes to transgender women.
First, Marc Lamont Hill used Twitter to discuss this point.
This Caitlyn Jenner conversation today is wearing me VERY thin…
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) June 1, 2015
Let me be VERY clear: I have no problem with Caitlyn Jenner’s decision to identify as a trans woman. I also don’t mind her public outing. — Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) June 1, 2015
In the abstract, I see how Caitlyn Jenner’s public process can help to normalize and humanize trans identities. But that’s not happening…
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) June 1, 2015
I do, however, find the particular narratives about Caitlyn Jenner and her process to be problematic and dangerous. — Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) June 1, 2015
Between the Vanity Fair spread and “she’s so pretty” convos, we’ve smuggled in the same old cis/Eurocentric narratives about womanhood.
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) June 1, 2015
If we only celebrate and welcome Caitlyn Jenner bc she conforms to tradition cis/and European standards of beauty, we are making a mistake. — Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) June 1, 2015
My critique isn’t of Caitlyn Jenner. It’s of US. Before we get injured patting ourselves on the back for being so progressive….
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) June 1, 2015
I’m excited for and proud of Caitlyn Jenner for her courageous move. My critique is not of her. It’s of how we are responding to the story. — Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) June 1, 2015
Trans bodies come in many shapes, sizes, & forms. We must learn to accept, love, & normalize all of them. Not just the “cover-worthy” ones.
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) June 1, 2015
EXACTLY https://t.co/UXENv5pg3Z — Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) June 2, 2015
Sophia Banks also discussed this on Twitter (and many other related issues, such as transmisogyny; follow her Twitter to read more).
Radical overnight transformation of Jenner is not a reality for most trans folks.
— Sophia Banks (@sophiaphotos) June 1, 2015
Sensationalism for cis consumption.
— Sophia Banks (@sophiaphotos) June 1, 2015
Stunning debut of Jenner. Lots of class privilege. Access to much most trans women can only dream of.
— Sophia Banks (@sophiaphotos) June 1, 2015
Media loves radical transformations of trans women. It’s the omg she was a man trope
— Sophia Banks (@sophiaphotos) June 1, 2015
Know what I want to see? A beautiful trans woman on the cover of a magazine that is beautiful outside of cisnormativity
— Sophia Banks (@sophiaphotos) June 1, 2015
I am happy for Caitlyn Jenner. It’s not a critique of her. It’s a critique of the media. A critique of the cis gaze
— Sophia Banks (@sophiaphotos) June 1, 2015
Yeah it’s great the media is paying attention to trans women. But Caitlyn Jenner and the reality of most trans women are worlds apart
— Sophia Banks (@sophiaphotos) June 1, 2015
So once people get over how beautiful Caitlyn Jenner is can we talk about trans women being locked up with men in prisons?
— Sophia Banks (@sophiaphotos) June 1, 2015
How most often trans women get jailed for survival crimes like sex work because transmisogyny makes employment difficult
— Sophia Banks (@sophiaphotos) June 1, 2015
Can we shift the media focus and talk about how 20% of trans women will experience homelessness?
— Sophia Banks (@sophiaphotos) June 1, 2015
Can we shift the media focus and talk about how 20% of trans women will experience homelessness?
— Sophia Banks (@sophiaphotos) June 1, 2015
I hear ya, media attention on trans women is great. Now let’s talk about high levels of poverty, access to washrooms, etc #caitlynjenner
— Sophia Banks (@sophiaphotos) June 1, 2015
The Advocate featured her Twitter convo and many other convos with relevant information on issues facing transgender Americans in this article.
Laverne Cox also spoke out about beauty standards and the issues facing transgender people on Tumblr. It’s a great read, but one key part of her message was that society needs to uplift all transgender people, not just the ones who have the ability and the means to have world-class care and financial support.
Most trans folks don’t have the privileges Caitlyn and I have now have. It is those trans folks we must continue to lift up, get them access to healthcare, jobs, housing, safe streets, safe schools and homes for our young people. We must lift up the stories of those most at risk, statistically trans people of color who are poor and working class. I have hoped over the past few years that the incredible love I have received from the public can translate to the lives of all trans folks. Trans folks of all races, gender expressions, ability, sexual orientations, classes, immigration status, employment status, transition status, genital status etc.. I hope, as I know Caitlyn does, that the love she is receiving can translate into changing hearts and minds about who all trans people are as well as shifting public policies to fully support the lives and well being of all of us. The struggle continues…
As I wrote yesterday, I am very glad for Caitlyn and the ability for her to finally live out her truth, but we also have to remember the shoulders of other trans women Caitlyn success is built on. Because we laud Caitlyn, we must laud other trans people and figure out ways to help them get the access to healthcare, support, and other necessary outlets they need in order to completely live out the lives they want to live.
What do you think about these viewpoints? Give your opinions in the comments section below.
Caitlyn Jenner in Vanity Fair, photographed by Annie Leibovitz. From Twitter.
Julian 