Article Review: “Bruce Jenner: transgender and Republican. Is that a contradiction?”

This article on The Guardian website delves into how the recent news that Bruce Jenner identifies as a woman relates to recent legislative activity. Chief reporter Ed Pilkington writes:

“The former Olympian hopes conservative leaders will be ‘very receptive’ to transgender issues – but recent pushes for ‘bathroom bounty laws’ show otherwise”

The day after Jenner publicly shared this transition with Diane Sawyer another transphobic bathroom bill was announced. Similar to Texas House Bills 1748 and 2802 (see previous posts from this blog for more detailed information), Republican house representatives in Minnesota are endorsing “bathroom bounty laws.” This term is a perfect description of such policies because they encourage individuals to sue for monetary compensation (up to $4,000) if they determine that there is a trans* person in the restroom or changing room with them.

How does Bruce Jenner fit into this bathroom bounty law policy issue?

In addition to announcing his (Jenner requested that people still use the pronouns “he and him”) gender identity, he also revealed that is conservative and a Republican. The Guardian article explores if conservatism and a transgender identity can be compatible by asking the opinion of Mara Keisling, the executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality. Keisling argues that there are some Republicans whose values are related to reducing the size of the government and that is not irreconcilable with being trans*.  On the other hand, there are Republican values that do seem to contradict the trans* identity which Keisling describes in the follow manner:

“It’s not Republicans who think government should get out of people’s lives who are the problem, it’s those who want to put it right in our faces,” she said.”

The bathroom bounty laws, anti-gay marriage legislation, the maintenance of reparative therapy are all legislative policies put forth by Republican congress people that puts government “right in our faces.” Yet, Jenner is aligning with such individuals:

Diane Sawyer:  “Are you Republican?” Bruce Jenner: “Yeah,” he said. “Is that a bad thing? I believe in the constitution.”

Jenner’s strategy seems to be working from within the Republican institution in order to make changes to such values. He says that he expects conservatives such as John Boehner and Mitch McConnell to be open to conversations about trans* issues. Jenner’s double reveal inspired the Log Cabin Republicans, the conservative LGBT group, to reach out to him. The national executive director of the Log Cabin Repulicans, Gregory Angelo, agrees with Keisling that being a Republican and part of the trans* community is not contradictory.

However, only time will tell whether Jenner’s story, gender identity, and conservative ideals will decrease the proliferation and implementation of transphobic bathroom bounty laws.