So I found out today that Caitlyn Jenner is receiving an
ESPY award. I didn’t find out through
CNN or by talking to my LGBT friends about Caitlyn’s beautiful transformation which
is the latest chapter in advancements for LGBT Americans. Nope, I found out through social media,
unfortunately. Unfortunately I had to
read a hundred anti-trans comments made by friends and friends of friends
because they are upset that Caitlyn won the award over others. Most notably they are upset about the
perceived snub by ESPN to the sweet Lauren Hill, a local hero after her brave
battle with cancer. I wish that Caitlyn hadn’t
won the award. Not because I think that
she didn’t deserve it. It isn’t my call. I don’t know why ESPN chose Caitlyn. I would like to think it is because her story
has been a catalyst for the gargantuan advancement in understanding of the
struggles of transgender people. I would
like to think that the award recognizes that people like Caitlyn provide hope
for thousands of transgender children and teens across the country that all too
often gravitate towards suicide or life-long seclusion from loved ones rather
than becoming their true selves. Perhaps
they chose her as someone who represents that our heroes, whether they be
athletes, actors, soldiers or government leaders have their own lives and their
own struggles. Because to people in my
parent’s generation Bruce Jenner was an Olympic hero who earned an amazing
athletic achievement for the US Olympic Team.
Unfortunately they probably chose her because it will mean higher
ratings for the ESPY awards. But for
whatever reason they picked her, I wish they hadn’t because it has opened
Caitlyn’s story up to additional criticism, jokes, anger, and horribly sad
transphobia. People who were teetering
on the edge of hate now have a reason to spew it all over the internet.
I am certainly not saying that my friends/people who think Lauren
should have won the award over Caitlyn are hateful or transphobic at all, but that many who feel that
way have become hateful to try to make their point.
There has been additional talk and dozens of memes posted to
the effect of “Caitlyn is not a hero, our brave men and women serving in the
military are heroes.” This makes no
sense, there are many varieties of heroes and mine might be different from
yours. While one could argue that US
soldiers would fall on everyone’s list, Caitlyn IS on some people’s lists. For example, the Leelah Alcorn’s of the
world, who are desperately seeking some hope for their future. Caitlyn would have been a hero to her because
Caitlyn’s presence and visibility might have saved her life. Are we only allowed to reserve the terms “brave”
and “hero” for those who are in the military?
That would be like if a church was recognizing a member of its
congregation for exceptional Christian community service but people stood up in
the pews and were like “boo, she doesn’t deserve it, she’s not a NUN!!!” Lauren Hill has been a hero to dozens of
children and families who are facing the horrible battle with childhood
cancer. She didn’t put on camouflage and
stare down the enemy, but she is brave, just the same. Again, it isn’t my place to decide who won
this award, but I understand why she is a hero to so many!
While you might not personally know someone who is
Transgender, if you are reading this then you know at least one gay person, and
gay Americans deal with many of the same rejections and fears as Transgender
people do so we sometimes share the same heroes. Remember that your experiences and opinions
are your own and everyone’s are different. The more we understand that, the more our
world is able to become a better place for everyone.
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