Gender Reassignment: Is It Time To Give Bruce Jenner Space And Privacy?

Bruce Jenner is reportedly undergoing gender reassignment and has been making headlines for months as his appearance has slowly changed.

A former Olympian, Bruce won a gold medal in the decathlon at the 1976 Summer Olympics held in Montreal. He is a reality TV star as a result of the fly-on-the-wall reality series Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and is father and step-father to no less than 10 children who are rarely out of the press themselves. Bruce Jenner is someone who has lived their life in the public eye and has courted publicity.

The Daily Mail reported this week that a source has confirmed that Jenner, who divorced his wife Kris last month after 23 years, is transitioning to a woman and that he will “star” in a docu-series following his transition.

According to People Magazine, a source close to the family has said that “Bruce is transitioning to a woman, he is finally happy and his family is accepting of what he’s doing. He’s in such a great space. That’s why it’s the perfect time to do something like this.”

The Mirror says that 65-year-old Bruce has been pictured in recent days with manicured nails, smooth legs, longer locks, and what appeared to be fuller lips.

The same source revealed that the Kardashian-Jenner family has been allowed time to get used to the idea and that they’re slowly accepting his decision.

“He’s being very smart about and also respectful about his transition, instead of completely shocking everyone, his changes have been subtle, and his family has had the chance to slowly get used to his new looks and life.

“He has come out to those closest to him… He’s been through a dark period and is coming out on the other side”

Many people will feel that, as someone who has opened almost every facet of his private life to the media, Bruce Jenner should expect the media to be fascinated by these latest developments. Others will argue that if Jenner is making a documentary about his gender reassignment, then he should be prepared for media intrusion. No doubt when Bruce made his decisions, he would have been aware that it would stir up a media frenzy.

All that said, numerous studies have concluded that people struggling with their gender identity are subject to a massive amount of stress, their mental health suffers, and they are subject to prejudice, discrimination, a lack of understanding, and often a lack of support. A major study in 2012 showed that over 50 percent of transgender people had self harmed, and as the case of Leela Alcorn showed recently, suicide is far from uncommon. Jenner will doubtless face difficulties, doubts, and struggles.

Of course, people’s experiences will vary widely, and it may be the case that Bruce Jenner is better placed than most to deal with the pressures that gender reassignment will bring. Bruce will inevitably be subject to far more scrutiny than those who can live out of the public gaze.

As someone who has made their living by opening their life to public scrutiny, and made a lot of money from doing so, does Bruce Jenner have to accept what comes his way now?

Perhaps you think that gender reassignment is a private and personal issue. That said, should Bruce Jenner be allowed time, space, and privacy whilst he and his family deal with the issues that such a big decision will undoubtedly bring?

What do Inquisitr readers think? Leave a comment and let is know.

[Image – Mail/guioteca.com]