Thursday, February 5, 2015

Bruce Jenner

I wrote about Bruce Jenner last November.  Many young people know him only from the Kardashian TV show and not from his heroic achievements in the Olympics a few decades back.  I discussed that laudable history.

In the past year, Bruce has undeniably set course on a journey toward female identity.  He's been keeping publicly quiet about the subject up to now, but it appears he's getting ready to open up.  He's negotiating terms of a blockbuster interview with Diane Sawyer.  Expect it in a few weeks.

I hope this transition goes well for Bruce and that the subject isn't ridiculed or mocked.  Transitioning is always hard; doing it in public is doubly so.  Tabloids have already staked out his comings and going, and one even photoshopped his head onto a woman's body.  If there's public interest in his story, they will continue to post unflattering pictures of him.

An event like this could educate many about an important subject.  Let's hope the story becomes a positive influence in society.

25 comments:

  1. I agree. I hope it has a positive influence, as well. I heard yesterday that his mother spoke out and said she was more proud of him for this than she was even during his time in the Olympics. He has the support of his family and that is so awesome and so important. I just wish the tabloids would stop with the unflattering and clearly photoshopped photos and would quit speculating about something so personal. He will talk about it when he is ready! How do you have this inside scoop about Diane Sawyer, Ally?

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    1. It was reported in New York media.

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    2. Haha. I thought maybe you and Diane were buddies or something. This is far less juicy. ;)

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    3. While I hear that everyone in Minnesota knows each other, not everyone in New York does! :-)

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  2. I hope he is happy with his decision after the medical procedures.

    Everybody deserves a shot at happiness and everybody deserves support and respect for their situation.

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  3. I really hope that the press is gentle with him and his decisions/changes that he is going to go through.

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  4. I'm optimistic that once he is open about his transition, that public support will follow. I can only imagine how difficult this has been for someone in the public eye. I support him and wish him happiness.

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  5. I tell everybody you tipped me off months ago! As an old hippie, I believe people should do and be whatever they want, as long as they're not hurting anybody. (Why are societies so paranoid?) I just worry about the surgeries. Shaving an Adam's apple sounds scary to me. I have the same feelings about invasive procedures to look young.

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  6. BTW, Connie Pappalardo is the same person as Underemployed1. I am transitioning to my new blog persona. I hope both Bruce and I are successful!

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    1. Ha! That's funny. Thanks for revealing your new identity. I feel the same way about surgery. I oppose altering one's body for social reasons.

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  7. Good on him, I just hope that he is truly happy and that the public and especially his family support him. By the way thankyou so much for my card, it meant a lot X

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  8. I'm glad you pointed out that you reported it first ;)

    I remember watching Wendy Williams talk about it a few months ago too. It was hard to believe and I thought it was just gossip. But now it makes total sense. I had heard reports of him canceling his appointment to get his Adam's Apple shaved down because everyone found out. How sad :(

    If he ever has his own show, I would totally watch it. Out of all the Kardashians/Jenners I've seen on TV, he always seemed like the coolest and most open minded. Heck, I'd rather hang out with HIM than any of the Kardashians lol.

    xo

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    1. Me, too! There are reports that he *has* a new show which has already begun filming but that hasn't been confirmed.

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  9. they are saying that kim's acceptance/support of bruce's change will influence the masses...

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    1. So are you saying that **MY** future happiness depends on the character and judgment of someone like Kim Kardashian?! (Just teasing, Oomphelia.)

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  10. The sensationalism of the magazine coverage that I've seen has been really wretched. I imagine that undergoing that interview will be tough, because like with Laverne Cox and Janet Mock, there's going to be that expectation to represent all trans and nonbinary folks. Hoping really hard that people learn something.

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    1. I'm glad you mentioned this, Mia. No one person represents a group. Not all feminists are represented by Gloria Steinem and not all gender-nonconformists will be represented by Bruce. The tendency to oversimplify life is something the media does. It confuses more than it helps.

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  11. I definitely agree with you - it's an important topic and will hopefully become a positive influence on our society of diverse individuals and identities. I can't imagine being in the public eye and being scrutinized 24/7, let alone while going through such a tremendous change.

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  12. There will be haters, there will be supporters.. that's the way the world is, sad but true. It is interesting to see how it all will turn up.

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    1. More than interesting for those of us affected by society's attitude...

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  13. My sister, brother-in-law and I were talking about this recently. My brother-in-law was less than understanding, and he received a swift but brief education in the difficulties Bruce might be going through. My heart goes out for him; I can't even begin to imagine how difficult it must be to deal with such an intensely personal issue when cameras are constantly following you and trashy magazines are mocking you under the pretense of concern. I wish him the best, whatever path he ends up taking.

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    1. If only the world was full of people like you, Emma...

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  14. I knew he existed from the days I watched Keeping up with the Ks. Then I learned about his successful career as an athlete and speaker.
    He seems like a good person, gentle well centred and a marvellous father.
    I have seen the pictures mocking him and feel terribly for him. Like you, I do hope this situation is presented as a serious topic that we can all learn from.

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  15. This comment comes two days late - but I hope he's alright. According to TMZ (a quick google of Jenner brought it up), he was just involved in a car accident that killed one woman.

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