Bruce Jenner trailblazes transgenderism


Recently, the infamous Kardashian clan has found itself confronting a social issue: transgenderism. Though there has been much speculation about Bruce Jenner transitioning from male to female, he will finally discuss his sex change in an interview with Diane Sawyer on April 24. Additionally, Jenner will address his changing looks and new identity to his family on the series finale of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and he will further promote his transition in a new documentary series on E!. As a famous Olympian and reality star, Jenner’s high-profile transition will be important to society’s view of the transgender community, as it will teach a larger audience to accept transgenderism and the LGBT community.

Until recently, there was no transgender visibility in the media. It was only seven years ago that transgender model Isis King competed on the reality television series America’s Next Top Model, a breakthrough for transgenderism in the mainstream media. Since then, the media has become more accepting of transgender actors. Most famously, actress Laverne Cox plays a transgender woman in Orange Is the New Black.

Though there has been growing transgender representation in the media, few transgender individuals have been prominently featured, and none of them have openly displayed their full transition on a reality TV series. By broadcasting Jenner’s transition to a large audience, viewers will have a better understanding of the transgender movement. Additionally, Jenner’s personal reality series will cover the details of his transition, especially how his famous family will handle the situation. Jenner’s new reality series will teach people to grasp the concept of transgenderism and expand upon the concept of gender identity, likely helping other people in the same situation transition into their appropriate gender roles.

Furthermore, people will relate to Jenner due to his extensive accomplishments. Jenner has been in the spotlight since 1972, when he first competed in the Summer Olympics in Munich. Jenner has remained in the public eye as an athlete and reality star. Because Jenner has been profiled in the media for more than 30 years, people of all age groups know his legacy. Jenner’s status as a celebrity will help normalize transgenderism for decades to come.

Despite his fame, Jenner has lived the life of a stereotypical man. Now 65 years old, Jenner has been divorced three times and has six children. Jenner lived his life seemingly embracing his supposed masculinity as an athlete, a husband and father. Jenner’s transition from male to female should inspire people, no matter their age and domestic roles, to embrace the gender they feel they were supposed to be. As Jenner says in a promo for his Diane Sawyer interview, “My whole life has been getting me ready for this.”

The transgender movement continues to grow, and Jenner’s upcoming declaration of identity will be monumental. By revealing his new identity, Jenner will expose people from all belief systems to the transgender population. By bravely displaying his transition to the public, Jenner will serve as a symbol and inspiration to the LGBT community, spreading the word that transgenderism deserves acceptance too.