Caitlyn's debut to the world, her rebirth in the body she deserves, is monumental. It is unprecedented for a celebrity of such acclaim and notoriety to let the public be privy to such a meaningful change. We have grown increasingly more welcoming of trans-identified celebrities, both actors and models who openly embrace their gender experience. That in and of itself is a huge step toward widespread acceptance. But to see an established individual in the public consciousness step forward in such a way is courageous and furthers the push toward normalization. We need to see people we already love and admire pursue their true selves rather than thinking of trans-identity as an abstract unknowable.
That being said, there are some critical issues that are being overlooked. Laverne Cox noted in a statement on her own tumblr that
A year ago when my Time magazine cover came out I saw posts from many trans folks saying that I am “drop dead gorgeous” and that that doesn’t represent most trans people. (It was news to be that I am drop dead gorgeous but I’ll certainly take it). But what I think they meant is that in certain lighting, at certain angles I am able to embody certain cisnormative beauty standards. Now, there are many trans folks because of genetics and/or lack of material access who will never be able to embody these standards. More importantly many trans folks don’t want to embody them and we shouldn’t have to to be seen as ourselves and respected as ourselves . It is important to note that these standards are also infomed by race, class and ability among other intersections.
The attention paid to Caitlyn's transformation, as beautiful a revelation as her process has been, has been largely focused on appearance, and make no mistake, they are cisnormative standards of beauty. The public at large are far more accepting of women who "pass" or would be undetectable as trans- at first glance. For the same reasons cis-women struggle with idealized and unattainable beauty standards, so do transwomen. The beauty ideal is light-skinned, Anglo-featured, thin-but-curvy, in shape but still soft (ripped abs are masculine or something?), straight-haired, long legged, narrow hipped, tiny-waisted, big-eyed, etc., etc. The closer a woman approximates this Barbie-esque image, the more valued she is by the general public. This is hard enough for any woman, but to consider the journey of transfemininity, there are other issues at play. Further, Laverne is right: the idealization of the quintessential woman is harmful for all of us. It is, even with the best of intentions in Caitlyn's case, damaging to those of us who do not fall on the traditional binary spectrum of gender performance or appearance, and those who cannot attain it due to genetics or lack of material access. We should be celebrating all forms of gender expression and appearance, regardless of their adherence to a narrow definition of beauty.
But beyond this skin-deep issue is a more deep-seated one: the realities of the vast majority of trans-identified people in this country (and worldwide) are not marked by the same privilege that Caitlyn Jenner possesses. One in five trans-identified people have been discriminated against in seeking a home. More than one in ten have been evicted as a direct result of their gender identity becoming known. One in five has experienced homelessness, and 20-40% of the 1.6 million homeless youth are TLGBQ. Shelter for these children and often adults is denied, and often when they are accommodated, they are placed in an inappropriately gendered population. The rates of depression among trans-identified individuals (51.4% of transwomen, 48.3% of transmen) far exceed the percentages of the general population, and anxiety disorders yield similar rates with lack of social support as the predominant underlying cause for their symptoms, in addition to the impetus behind avoidant coping behaviors such as drug use. A frightening 41% of trans-identified individuals have attempted suicide. 19% have been refused medical care for their gender-nonconforming status. 2 percent have been violently assaulted by a medical practitioner in office. 26% have lost employment due to their gender status. 97% have experienced workplace violence or discriminatory treatment while employed. 27% of trans-identified people live in abject poverty, with 15% reporting incomes under $10,000 per year. Further, transwomen and transmen are routinely imprisoned in gender inappropriate populations. Can you imagine being a woman thrown in with an all-male inmate population? Traumatizing in a way I don't have the words to express. 50% of transpeople have been raped by a romantic partner. And to top it all off? Transwomen have a one in twelve chance of being murdered. Bump that up to one in eight if you are a woman of colors.
And that's not to mention the ridiculous bathroom discrimination.
THIS is the reality transpeople, and disproportionally trans-people of colors, endure every single day. Not mansions. Not million+ dollar bank accounts. Not Annie Leibovitz photo shoots. No prime-time reality shows for an extra buck. Not designer clothing and bodies. No make-up crews or hair stylists. No loyal fanbase ready to embrace them with loving arms.
The same courageous gender odyssey to reconcile their inner selves with their outward expression. Just without all the perks of being a white, wealthy, powerful, famous person.
Caitlyn Jenner was brave to come forward and face the scrutiny of a vicious public. But there is a much more important story that we have been trying to share for a long time. Hopefully with the attention to her life and transformation, we will begin to really be heard.
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