maxmundan:

           This past Monday, former Olympic and reality TV superstar Bruce Jenner revealed herself, on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine, as Caitlyn Jenner, the true woman who has been living inside Bruce all these years, waiting for the opportunity to come out. Caitlyn’s debut was met with widespread awe and adulation for her beauty, poise, dignity and courage as well as an unsurprising backlash of hate and ridicule from the more primitive and closed-minded members of the population.

           It would be difficult, I think, to overstate the importance of this moment in human history. No one with this level of visibility has ever before made this transition, practically right in front of our eyes.  It is a huge step forward, not only for transgender rights and acceptance, but also for human rights in general. Like Laverne Cox’s Time magazine cover from a year ago, this is a watershed for the trans community. It is a door opening. It’s an admission that gender is more fluid and complex and interesting than we had previously admitted and that all number of unique and precious individuals, at diverse points on the gender scale, can now be welcomed and celebrated by the society at large.

           Now, I don’t believe that I need to address the asinine and ignorant comments directed at Caitlyn by members of the right-wing media and pathetic internet trolls badly in need of a life. Their kind is a rapidly dying breed whose shriveled, petrified minds could not be opened with a crowbar. Let’s face it, in the internet age, stupid people are going to say stupid things, no matter the situation. The response to Caitlyn’s coming out party has been overwhelmingly positive, relegating the haters to a sad footnote in the history books.

           There is a criticism of her, though, that I feel needs some rebuttal. This is the idea, voiced by many sources in the past few days, that Caitlyn Jenner’s wealth and fame afford her privilege and advantage that the vast majority of members of the trans community will never know. This is certainly true.  Most people who transition will never have anything close to the amount of money necessary for the level of plastic surgery that she received, nor will there be the slightest chance of them gracing the cover of a well-known national magazine. Most transgender individuals will have to struggle, save and sacrifice to be able to afford the expensive medical treatments necessary and without a national spotlight, will still have to fight for acceptance, from family members and friends, from employers and co-workers, and from the public at large.

           The fact that this was easier for Caitlyn, however, does not, in any way, mean that it was easy. She has shown tremendous courage in putting herself, and her struggle, in front of the public as she has. In some ways, her transition is more difficult for the level of publicity she’s received. The vast majority will never have to put up with the mountain of scrutiny and vicious, hateful feedback that Caitlyn has had to put up with, and will continue to put up with for some time. Her struggle will, in turn, make it much less daunting for the next person who wants to proudly display who they are. The true human being they have always been inside.

           We, as a society, need to honor and celebrate those who stand on the frontlines of social change. The sheer determination and fearlessness it requires is astounding. It warms my heart that, at least in the case of Caitlyn Jenner, we appear to be doing just that.

© David Rutter 2015

Purchase my book, “JUNKIES DIE ALONE“ on Amazon or iTunes.

p0ck3tf0x:

1. “Pull over.  Let me drive for awhile.”
2. “It reminded me of you.”
3. “No, no, it’s my treat.”
4. “Come here.  Let me fix it.”
5. “I’ll walk you home.”
6. “Have a good day at work.”
7. “I dreamt about you last night.”
8. “Take my seat.”
9. “I saved a piece for you.”
10. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
11. “You can have half.”
12. “Take my jacket, it’s cold outside.”
13. “Sorry I’m late.”
14. “Can I have this dance?”
15. “I made your favourite.”
16. “It’s okay.  I couldn’t sleep anyway.”
17. “Watch your step.”
18. “Here, drink this.  You’ll feel better.”
19. “Can I hold your hand?”
20. “You can borrow mine.”
21. “You might like this.”
22. “It’s not heavy.  I’m stronger than I look.”
23. “I’ll wait.”
24. “Just because.”
25. “Look both ways.”
26. “I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean to.”
27. “Try some.”
28. “Drive safely.”
29. “Well, what do you want to do?”
30. “One more chapter.”
31. “Don’t worry about me.”
32. “It looks good on you.”
33. “Close your eyes and hold out your hands.”
34. “That’s okay, I bought two.”
35. “After you.”
36. “We’ll figure it out.”
37. “Can I kiss you?”
38. “I like your laugh.”
39. “Don’t cry.”
40. “I made this for you.”
41. “Go back to sleep.”
42. “Is this okay?”
43. “I picked these for you.”
44. “I’ll drive you to the hospital.”
45. “What do you want to watch?”
46. “You can go first.”
47. “Did you get my letter?”
48. “I’ll do it for you.”
49. “Call me when you get home.”
50. “I think you’re beautiful.”
51. “Are you sure?”
52. “Have fun.”
53. “Sit down, I’ll get it.”
54. “I made reservations.”
55. “I don’t mind.”
56. “It brings out your eyes.”
57. “There is enough room for both of us.”
58. “You don’t have to say anything.”
59. “Wow.”
60. “Happy birthday.”
61. “I’ll pick it up after work.”
62. “It can wait until tomorrow.”
63. “Cross my heart and hope to die.”
64. “It’s two sugars, right?”
65. “I’ll help you study.”
66. “Stay over.”
67. “I did the dishes.”
68. “You didn’t have to ask.”
69. “I bought you a ticket.”
70. “You’re warm.”
71. “No reason.”
72. “I’ll meet you halfway.”
73. “Take mine.”
74. “We can share.”
75. “I was just thinking about you.”
76. “I want you to have this.”
77. “Call me if you need anything.”
78. “Do you want to come too?”
79. “I’ll still be here when you’re ready.”
80. “Is your seatbelt on?”
81. “Sweet dreams.”
82. “I was in the neighbourhood.”
83. “Stay there.  I’m coming to get you.”
84. “The key is under the mat.”
85. “It doesn’t bother me.”
86. “You’re important too.”
87. “I saved you a seat.”
88. “I’ll see you later.”
89. “I noticed.”
90. “You can tell me anything.”
91. “I hope you like it.”
92. “I want you to be happy.”
93. “I believe in you.”
94. “You can do it.”
95. “Good luck.”
96. “I brought you an umbrella.”
97. “I’ll pick you up at the airport.”
98. “Take a deep breath.”
99. “Be careful.”

And…

1. “I love you.”

(via earthquakeofemotions)