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The Republican Caitlyn Jenner emerges during road trip with group of other transgender women

I just watched the second episode of I Am Cait and just cringed at this part of the show.

Well, Caitlyn Jenner – in her final interview as Bruce – did tell Diane Sawyer that she is a Republican.

She wasn’t kidding.

Jenner found herself sounding very stereotypically Republican and at odds with a group of other transgender women while discussing the needs of their community during a road trip.

When one women suggests that trans people really need help securing entry level jobs, Jenner said: ‘Don’t a lot of times they can make more not working with social programs than they actually can with an entry-level job? … You don’t want people to get totally dependent on it. When they get in trouble, “Why should I work? I’ve got a few bucks. I’ve got my room paid for.”‘

Jenny Boylan, the first openly transgender co-chair of GLAAD’s National Board of Directors, was riding with Jenner and interjected with: ‘I’d say a great majority of the people who are getting help as they need help.’

Boylan later added some pointed remarks via voiceover: ‘Many transgender men and women need social programs to survive and that’s nothing to be ashamed of. Living in the bubble is an impediment to understanding other people.

‘If Cait’s going to be a spokesperson for our community, this something she’s going to have to understand.’

True that. It’s clear how much Caitlyn has to learn which is such a tough place to be since she is so out-of-the-box famous.

But I’m hopeful and confident that she will get there.

FILE UNDER: Transgender

Comments

(All comments are reviewed before being published, and I review submissions several times per day.)

19 Remarks

  1. August 3rd, 2015 at 7:59 pm
    K. Martinez says:

    Now here’s the part of the series I’ve been waiting for. The meat of the show. And I don’t really find it cringe worthy. Of course she’s going to say those things. Republicans are hooked on their ideology which doesn’t work in real world situations. Hopefully her new friends will pop her bubble and help wake her up to see the reality of her politics. Now is an opportunity of growth and transformation for Caitlyn. It should be interesting.

  2. long time reader, first time commenter! As a gay man of a certain age, it is incredible to see the strides the transgender community are making in recent years. As Miss Jenner is being educated, so are the many watching her. These discussion are important. The simple fact that trans people and especially trans youth can see themselves on television is doing inestimable good.

  3. You make an interesting point about this topic of the show Greg, however, I was far more struck by the continuous talk of “sex work.” I had absolutely no idea what they were initially talking about until I did a Google search and it defined it for me as prostitution. Sex work is far too politically cute and forgiving for my taste. I think it is gross and completely unacceptable despite whatever a person’s political affiliation or economic status. If you go to Craigslist’s Personal section, there are SOOOOO many trans people offering sexual services everyday – it is really disgusting. I think they like doing it because there is just so much of it (the whole chick with dicks thing.) It’s a market that trans people know they can take advantage of with many pseudo-straight guys and they willingly take advantage of that financial opportunity, despite the fact that they are prostituting themselves. Then they put the political spin of “sex work” on it, to make it appear less offensive than it really is. And, I do share Cait’s opinion on social services offered by the government becoming an impediment rather than a help. There is only so much that the government can do to help people before their intended charitable services do more harm than good. I agree that social services can help people in need, however, I believe there should be mandatory limits (both time and amount) placed on what any person can benefit from these type of government social services, regardless of their situation. In this way, people can obtain a helping hand from the government without having the wealthy or the middle class support the poor. Mandatory benefit limits provide a much needed incentive for people to get pushed out of social service assistance and back on their own two independent feet again. Let’s face it, people can only suck on the nipple of the country for so long before they run the risk of “…get[ting] totally dependent on it. [That's] When they get in trouble, “Why should I work? I’ve got a few bucks. I’ve got my room paid for.”

  4. Rye: There ARE limits on time and amount. That’s why some of us get so frustrated when people think otherwise. There was massive reform to the system in the 90s. Reagan’s “Welfare Queen” (since disproven) image has stuck with us as a country for decades now though.

  5. So funny!

  6. Chip: I think someone has lied to you or perhaps you are drinking too much of the Democrat party Kool-Aid because there are no long term limits to many social service programs. I have never heard of anyone being rejected from food stamps because they have been on them for three years and the government informed them that is long enough. I know people who have been on food stamps for many years and they lie and cheat the government by dishonestly working and failing to report income to the government so that they can continue to get social service. All Shawanda needs to do is spread her legs for yet another time and have yet another kid to get loads of more money and social services from the government to have another kid that she can’t possibly afford. So who gets to support the child, the tax payer. The harder you work the more taxes you get to pay in order to support the poor. Social services do not work.

  7. @Rye-I love how you make it seem that people on welfare are living high on the hog. It’s not enough to feed two people decently much less a family of 4.

    The vast majority of people on welfare don’t want to be on it but there are times in life you don’t have a choice. We are such a rich country, isn’t it our responsibility to take care of our poor? Or should we just let them die because they didn’t have the opportunities Caitlyn was born with. Or maybe you were born with.

  8. Caitlyn Jenner is a typical republican-unable to put herself in someone else’s shoes. I don’t see this relationship between the larger trans community and Caitlyn lasting too much longer but I could be proven wrong. Only time will tell.

  9. Look Faen. I did not say that it is easy to raise a family regardless of the size. What I am saying is that it is you who decided to have a family of four when you know that you cannot afford it, so it is YOU, not me, who should have to pay for your choice. I did not decide to have children that I cannot afford, so why should I and other citizens in this country have to pay for your choices? I think a lot of people utilizing social services do enjoy the free ride, while perhaps not enjoy being in the situation. However, their predicament is a result of their choices. No one is a slave or condemned to slavery or poverty in this country. In America you are responsible for yourself and people need to be responsible for their actions and choices. For example, if a guy goes out and has unsafe sex and contracts HIV, why then is it the responsibility of all Americans to have to pay for his medical expenses through Medicare? Why should I have to pay more taxes to cover his decision? Why should hard working middle and upper class citizens of America be burdened and brought down by those that cannot fend for themselves? Despite what President Obama has done to turn America into a socialist state, it remains a capitalist democracy. Additionally, Bruce Jenner was not born into wealth. He struggled with his finances and used his Olympic status to earn his income. Later, he married Kris, who gained her wealth through her late husband’s legal representation of OJ Simpson. I do not see why the Republican Party is always vilified when it is just a party that wants fiscal responsibility and control left with the citizen rather than having the government decide how our hard earned money is spent. I do not need President Obama taxing me to death, so I can support the poor and his socialist agenda. I worked damn hard to get a master’s degree and a good job and I think I am more than capable of deciding how to spend my hard earned money.

  10. August 5th, 2015 at 11:19 am
    K. Martinez says:

    Rye, Your sanctimonious attitude towards transgender sex workers and your disdain for the poor and uneducated is bad enough, but now you’re asking why should we take care of someone who contracts HIV due to unsafe sex? BECAUSE IT’S THE RIGHT THING TO DO!!! Same with the social welfare programs! And I gladly pay my taxes to support those who need help regardless of how they got in their predicament.

  11. @Rye-you’ve got yours so fuck everyone else right?

  12. So many assumptions from the gentleman on the extreme right. None worth bothering with because he’s made up his mind and he knows best. I’d invite him to work with me in one of my projects for welfare reform that has been used as national model but he’d just make it partisan and continue spouting nonsense. The racially toned epithets show his intent and his background.

  13. Well, that’s just great for you. That is what I am saying. You have the personal right to donate your time and financial resources to hospitals, churches, etc. to assist those with HIV, however, tax payers should not be mandated by government tax dollars to pay for these things because others like you feel that it is the right thing to do. It is no different than a person who smokes cigarettes for their entire life and then they find out later in life that they have cancer. Now they require tons of medical attention and medications. So, they get endless medical care and run up Medicare costs beyond belief and the American taxpayer has to endure the expenditure of our taxes for their avoidable medical nonsense. This is not 1863 where there is no substantial scientific evidence that smoking causes cancer. It is a fact that if you smoke, you will get cancer. However, tons of people continue to smoke and they give the smug “You’re gonna die of something” response when they are informed that smoking is going to harm them; however, they continue to smoke them down and cry like a little bitch when the doctor says that they have cancer. I think insurance companies should deny ALL smokers from medical attention as a pre-existing condition. You made the conscious educated choice to smoke, no one told you to do it. Actually, people have told you not to do it and the warning was ignored. Now you have to live by your choice and deal with the results of your actions. It is quite evident to me that Americans are not fond of being held accountable for their actions and taking responsibility for their life choices. I want my tax dollars to go to very few (if any) social programs and I have no desire or willingness to support the poor. Like I stated in an earlier post, America is not a socialist state. America is a capitalist system where money is our primary concern. If you do not like the American system, American citizens can move to the socialist free-market of Canada. Canada has a vast welfare system. That is not what America is all about – America is about freedom, limited government, and economic prosperity. Caitlyn is going to have many challenges advocating for a group that embraces prostitution and social programs as a Republican. We can go back-and-fourth on this forever and my opinion will never change. I can only hope that Mr. Trump dazzles tomorrow in the first debate and continues to rise in the polls and his popularity.

  14. @Rye-I did not say that it is easy to raise a family regardless of the size. What I am saying is that it is you who decided to have a family of four when you know that you cannot afford it, so it is YOU, not me, who should have to pay for your choice.

    Ever hear of this concept of life where it isn’t always as smooth sailing? During this last recession brought on by President Bush and his policies lots of families that were and could afford their children suddenly couldn’t. Some had savings and some didn’t. Should we not take care of their basic needs as a country or would you rather they became homeless and had to rely even more on other social programs? Just asking.

  15. @Rye- No one is a slave or condemned to slavery or poverty in this country. In America you are responsible for yourself and people need to be responsible for their actions and choices. For example, if a guy goes out and has unsafe sex and contracts HIV, why then is it the responsibility of all Americans to have to pay for his medical expenses through Medicare? Why should I have to pay more taxes to cover his decision.

    I’m not in the least bit surprised at your attitude callous and inhumane as it is. You probably(and you can correct me if I’m wrong)think everyone can just pull themselves up from their bootstraps as every other republican has apparently done. And you would be wrong. If you are born into poverty most likely you will remain there. And if you do manage to make your way out you’d most likely be saddled with mountains of college debt you will spend your life paying off. Do not make it seem that people are thrilled to ‘live’ in poverty so they can be taken care of by the government.

    As far as your HIV comment-should we only give meds to people who acquired HIV they way you think is appropriate? What a vile and disgusting way to think. If you’re gay you should be especially sensitive to this issue. HIV meds should be available at a decent price and should be subsidized for people who can’t afford them. To hear you talk is disheartening to say the least. What happened to you that you are this unfeeling?

  16. @Rye-I do not see why the Republican Party is always vilified when it is just a party that wants fiscal responsibility and control left with the citizen rather than having the government decide how our hard earned money is spent. I do not need President Obama taxing me to death, so I can support the poor and his socialist agenda. I worked damn hard to get a master’s degree and a good job and I think I am more than capable of deciding how to spend my hard earned money.

    THE PARTY THAT WANTS FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY? Are you kidding me? The GOP spent TRILLIONS on a war we did not need to fight. Invaded a country that didn’t attack us, needlessly cost the lives of American soldiers and who knows how many civilians, gave tax breaks to the wealthy and corporations and you have the nerve to talk about fiscal responsibility???? BAGGER PLEASE!!!

  17. @Rye-the Republican Party is justly vilified because they are hypocrites. They say they want smaller government, more personal responsibility yet they fight tooth and nail against marriage equality and the right for women to control their OWN bodies. Maybe they just want smaller government etc just for themselves.

    As far as the ‘socialist agenda’ please do elaborate.

  18. @Rye-we agree on one point-I too hope Trump rises in the polls and wins the nomination. That will all but guarantee a Democrat in the White House.

  19. @Rye-Money is your only god. What a surprise.

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