For decades, the face most people have associated with the LGBTQ community has been Caucasian—an Aryan archetype reinforced by all forms of media from films to Facebook. Close your eyes and think about it for proof positive of the previous statement.
With any number of high profile individuals coming out of the closet every year, all of the associated letters in the rainbow-sprinkled acronym seemed to have been covered when it came to boasting a celebrity mascot, except for the ’T.” Enter Caitlyn Jenner.
Caitlyn Jenner’s internet-breaking Vanity Fair cover and her accompanying coming out story signaled a great many things, including open and honest conversation about gender identity and what it means to be transgender in today’s society, as well as what it’s like to come to terms with one’s gender identity later in life. The outpour of support and backlash from Jenner’s introduction to the world helped land each of these topics on the tips of collective tongues throughout the world. As such, many received their first introduction to a trans-identified individual in the form of Jenner, who just so happens to be an Olympian and reality star to boot.
Jenner’s meteoric ascension into the spotlight left a number of individuals in the dark—namely transgender individuals of color who have limited resources, seemingly insurmountable barriers to accessing healthcare, and a number of associated social anxieties related to the unique array of cultural constructs they face daily. Indeed, it was a giant leap for Caitlyn Jenner, and one small step for transgender individuals around the world.
In an open letter, Orange is New Black star Selenis Leyva, who has a sister who identifies as transgender and stars alongside actress Lavern Cox in the hit Netflix series, reacted to Jenner’s triumphant coming out tale. In the honest piece originally published by Huffington Post, Leyva addressed the very real issue of race and access as it relates to the transgender community.
“I feel sadness today because the majority of the trans community cannot afford the numerous surgeries needed in order to somehow be accepted by society,” Leyva wrote. “In fact, many struggle to simply get decent health care. So yes…I, like millions, celebrated the Vanity Fair cover. Today I hope we don’t lose sight that this is not the norm for your average Transgender person.”
Leyva echoes the sentiments of many individuals who identify with the LGBTQ community and live far outside of the blinding glare of Hollywood lights and the unyielding gaze of the entire world. In many ways Jenner’s revelation was an indirect attempt to reassure us all that we are not alone, but she managed to alienate some individuals in the process.
Jenner is the tip of the iceberg, shining just above the surface. For those who are unfamiliar, she is all there is to see. Underneath, however, is a massive structure that is often overlooked. And it is strong and resilient. Jenner stands on the shoulders of many, including Janet Mock, Chaz Bono, Candis Cayne, and Renée Richards among innumerable others, who have paved the way for Jenner’s breakthrough story by upping the visibility of trans-identified individuals in media. More importantly, however, Jenner is reaping the benefits earned through the struggles of so many nameless transgender individuals who came before her (and continue to do great work today) and blazed pathways without any recognition let alone a magazine cover.
On the heels of the July 26 debut of her E! reality series, I Am Cait, many are already touting Jenner as the latest, greatest and most recognizable face within the transgender community. With such an attribution comes a great deal of responsibility, the weight of which fell squarely on the shoulders of Jenner as mentioned in her inspiring ESPY Awards acceptance speech.
“If there is one thing I do know about my life, it is the power of the spotlight,” said Jenner as she accepted the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage. “Sometimes it gets overwhelming, but with attention comes responsibility. As a group, as athletes, how you conduct your lives, what you say, what you do, is absorbed and observed by millions of people, especially young people. I know I’m clear with my responsibility going forward, to tell my story the right way — for me, to keep learning, to do whatever I can to reshape the landscape of how trans issues are viewed, how trans people are treated. And then more broadly to promote a very simple idea: accepting people for who they are. Accepting people’s differences.”
Jenner went on to mention a pair of transgender youth, Mercedes Williamson, 17, and Sam Taub, 15, whose lives were cut short by violence and suicide, respectively. In doing so, Jenner illuminated the fact that the work does not stop here. Her story is not reflective of the majority, and there is still so much more work to do. But it’s a start.
“So for the people out there wondering what this is all about — whether it’s about courage or controversy or publicity — well, I’ll tell you what it’s all about,” Jenner said. “It’s about what happens from here. It’s not just about one person, it’s about thousands of people. It’s not just about me, it’s about all of us accepting one another. We are all different. That’s not a bad thing, that’s a good thing. And while it may not be easy to get past the things you always don’t understand, I want to prove that it is absolutely possible if we only do it together.”
Jenner’s journey has been nothing but inspiring and she has handled the public scrutiny masterfully, but let us not forget about all of our trans-identified brothers, sisters, and gender non-conforming family members (of color and otherwise) who don’t enjoy the privilege, the access, or the primetime coverage that Caitlyn enjoys. All of our stories are important, and none of us has reached equality until we all have.
Diego Wyatt is the new managing editor of Guy magazine.
Photo Credit: usmagazine.com
