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| Caitlyn Jenner |
Caitlyn Jenner, arguably one of the most famous transgender people in the world, has penned an op-ed for
The Washington Post saying her “outlook has changed significantly” regarding her support for Donald Trump and his administration.
“These past two years under President Trump have given me the opportunity to reflect on a lot of topics that have come up in the LGBTQ community and in our nation,” writes Jenner. “As I’ve watched and pondered, my outlook has changed significantly from what it was during my highly publicized and glamorized early Caitlyn days, when my life as an out trans woman was just beginning.”
Admitting she’s been on a learning curve since coming out as transgender, the 68-year-old shares she has “reflected on what my unique position of privilege means and how I can best use it to make a positive difference.”
Pointing to
Trump’s declaration at the Republican National Convention in 2016 where he promised he would do everything in his power to “protect LGBTQ citizens from violence and oppression,” Jenner says she “saw fertile ground for change within the Republican Party on LGBTQ issues.”
With American views on LGBTQ citizens were improving, even in the GOP voter base, Jenner felt “optimistic that this was how I could leverage my privilege for change.”
After “many trips to Washington” which produced what she described as “positive” and “encouraging” conversations, Jenner felt hopeful for “positive change.”
“Sadly, I was wrong,” admits the former Olympian. “The reality is that the trans community is being relentlessly attacked by this president. The leader of our nation has shown no regard for an already marginalized and struggling community.”
“He has ignored our humanity,” continued Jenner. “He has insulted our dignity. He has made trans people into political pawns as he whips up animus against us in an attempt to energize the most right-wing segment of his party, claiming his anti-transgender policies are meant to “protect the country.”
“This is politics at its worst. It is unacceptable, it is upsetting, and it has deeply, personally hurt me.”
Jenner now feels her belief that she could work with the Trump administration to improve transgender lives was “a mistake.”
She calls the recently l
eaked Department of Health and Human Services memo, that reveals a plan to redefine gender in a very narrow manner that could virtually erase 1.4 million trans people in the United States, “just one more example in a pattern of political attacks” on trans people.
“I do not support Trump,” she shares. “I must learn from my mistakes and move forward.”
“I need to listen more to the members of the LGBTQ community and to learn more. I need to better use my voice, my privilege and my foundation to advocate and support our community.”
Jenner concludes with the statement: “The world needs to hear us. The world needs to know us. We will not be erased.”
Of course, the Twitterverse chimed in:
