Why Are People More Focused On Caitlyn Jenner’s Looks Rather Than Her Bravery?
Since Caitlyn Jenner’s Vanity Fair cover came out on Monday, everyone has been complimenting her about her looks. It also caused the discussion regarding the pressures of the transgender community to conform to society’s standards of beauty, whether the transition is male-to-female or female-to-male.
Laverne Cox spoke out about Caitlyn Jenner’s transition on her Tumblr blog on Tuesday, June 2. The Orange is the New Black star congratulated Jenner for her bravery, while noting that, “there are many trans folks because of genetics and/or lack of material access who will never be able to embody these standards. More importantly many trans folks don’t want to embody them.”
“It is important to note that these standards are also infomed by race, class and ability among other intersections. I have always been aware that I can never represent all trans people. No one or two or three trans people can. This is why we need diverse media representations of trans folks to multiply trans narratives in the media and depict our beautiful diversities. I started #TransIsBeautiful as a way to celebrate all those things that make trans folks uniquely trans, those things that don’t necessarily align with cisnormative beauty standards.”
While Cox started the #TransIsBeautiful social media campaign, Twitter user Crystal Fraiser created the #MyVanityFairCover so transgendered people can share their own self-made magazine covers. She wanted to create the trend for those who are “overwhelmed by opinions on transgender women and how we’re ‘supposed’ to look if we want to be taken seriously.” Like the #TransIsBeautiful trend, the hashtag is also taking off on both Tumblr and Twitter. Both trans men and trans women have been using the hashtags to share their own beautiful images.
Even Jon Stewart pointed out how the media has been congratulating Jenner about her “comparative f***ability,” with news clips that have been comparing her looks and her body parts to the likes of Kim Kardashian. Even though Stewart’s jokes had the audience laughing, his sarcastic comments hit the nail right on the head. Now that Bruce Jenner has transitioned into Caitlyn Jenner, all the media cares about is her looks.
“You see, Caitlyn, when you were a man, we could talk about your athleticism, your business acumen. But now you’re a woman—and your looks are the only thing we care about. Which brings us to Phase 2 of your transition: Comparative F***ability.
“Look, we want to give a woman a compliment here! We just need to make sure another woman gets taken down a peg in the process.”
Much of the praise for Caitlyn Jenner’s bravery in transitioning seems to be followed with praise over her looks rather than her bravery. Even some fans on Twitter noted how much Jenner resembles other beautiful actresses like Jessica Lange. Meanwhile, other fans felt that Caitlyn Jenner’s Vanity Fair cover was used to sexualize transgender people and to attract attention.
Sources close to Jenner told TMZ that it was all her idea.
“We’re told Caitlyn chose an extremely sexy, revealing outfit because now that the public’s curiosity is satisfied, it will not be a shock when she goes out in normal streetwear.”
The celebrity gossip site also said that Jenner “didn’t want to look like a guy in a dress.”
Yes, Caitlyn Jenner is beautiful. Everyone has become aware of that. But some would argue that Caitlyn is not only brave, but beautiful on the inside, as well as the outside. Do you agree that the media is obsessed with her looks now that she’s transitioned into a woman? Share your thoughts below in the comments section.
[Image: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images]
