20/20 The Bruce Jenner interview

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I TIVOed it the other night - and we watched it last night. I was actually much better than I had expected. Tastefully done.

Transgendered folks have been popping up on TV since Christine Jorgensen, Rene Richards and the various folk Phil Donohue introduced us to so many years ago. Yet for some folks this is all "news stuff" and worthy of kneejerk reactions. I've had friends who went this path since the mid-70s - its not an easy path, its expensive, and tough enough with the usual snark in grocery stores and daily life. I can't even imagine the strength it takes to do something like that for a nationally known athlete. Add in religious feelings and a conservative background as even more to overcome.

Looks like Bruce (only name I know to use so far) is doing as well as possible for someone tall (6'2in), starting so late in life (65) ...

And about the Washington Post article from an "Inside Edition" staff "reporter". Understand that Zooey, the person who wrote that article in the WaPo is a newly minted trans-person that didn't see fit to even mention her own background in the article. She is also quite busy trying to become a trans spokes-person herself - so her motives are in question.

How can I even respond to the dichotomy of nearly back to back sentence like this in her article:

Jenner has already shown that her public transition is more about promoting herself than promoting the transgender community.

Though she had a major platform in her reality television show and celebrity, Jenner stayed quiet, leaving her transition in the hands of the media.

Jenner is, after all, a champion – and a champion is exactly what the movement needs.

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As near as I can tell, Zooey hadn't even seen the show at the time she did her "review" or article or whatever it is, so she is merely speculating that it was more Kardashian grandstanding. From actually watching the interview, I did not think it was, other than Bruce being quite proud and protective of the various children and grandchildren.

 

Even if there is never surgery, Bruce is still transgendered and can still live as and identify as a woman. Not every transgendered person goes through with surgery to change genitalia

 

Somewhere I read that she will rename to Heather. Not sure where I read it I think it is something he talked to one of his ex wifes about.

I wish her luck. I couldnt ever imagine what it is like and Im sure this has torn her heart for many many years. It will be nice for her not to live a lie anymore.

 

Understood. I just found it interesting that he far enough along in the transition that he has the approvals, which I understand takes some time to get, yet he doesn't yet want to be called she.

 

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This. Until recently, I didn't even know what a Kardashian was.
I do feel for anyone struggling with these things and thankful for not personally having those issues. (There, but for the grace of God....)
I tried to watch it On Demand a couple of days ago but the app wouldn't work. I'll probably give it another shot. I hope the exposé helps him and his loved ones.

 

the approvals are for the surgery. Bruce can become "she" whenever. That doesn't need approval. But right now, he isn't quite ready to be Her full time all the time. That will happen soon, apparently. And it will happen before any surgery happens. If it ever does.

 

Given the environment I felt sure her name would begin with a K.

 

I feel bad for him (her?) and the struggles that have gone on for all those years. That and the poor guy is gonna be one high profile and unattractive older "lady" from here on out.

 

Kiki?

 

He should just add an "ine" to his current name. I know a woman named Brucine. Nice lady.

 

Speaking of news stories on transgendered people, did anyone else catch any of NBC's series of stories last week on transgendered children? YOUNG children. Not teenagers. But kids that were like 5 or 6.

 

you mean the ones that aired on nbc nightly news, then repeated on today, msnbc, cnbc, usa, bravo, e!, and oxygen? (ok, i'm joking about the last 5)

kidding aside, it was the best work i've seen from kate snow, only wish they had been more in-depth, very remarkable parents (i think the kids ages were 4 & 8). maybe we'll see more if they air on dateline...

 

Yeah.

Of course, I only saw it on main NBC nightly news and Today.


And I agree about the pieces. Very well done. I would have never ever thought a 5 year old would be able to genuinely identify as a different gender. But there it was.

 

Can you imagine the media circus when he tells everyone the new name and goes out in public as the woman formally known as Bruce Jenner?

I imagine he wants to keep it on the down low. As he said, he's been out in the public and no one ever knew. So, for all we know, he spends 99% of his time as a woman now, but goes out as a man to keep the paparazzi at bay.

He did say that this was the last interview as Bruce. So he may be living a very private life as a woman right now.

 

Not likely since he's filming a show about his transition

 

The feedback I get from the trans community is overwhelmingly positive.

That said, they are not all one big happy family. There are people who disagree with a lot of things. Transgender people are diverse as society itself, perhaps even more so where you have people with varying degrees of being "out."

 

It takes a year. That's really not a long time. I know people who have had SRS in less than a year so that year is not really a strict rule.

I suspect not wanting to be called "she" in this particular interview is to control the gossip.

 

Many if not most trans people knew something was different by 4-5 years old. How they deal with it determines what age they end up transitioning, if at all.

Look up Kim Petras and Jazz Jennings who are two of the more famous ones.

 

Given that he's 65 and has been going through this for decades, I guess 1 year really isn't that long in the grand scheme of things. I hope he is able to introduce the public to she when he decides to do so and not because of some sneaky paparazzi photos.

 

Diane Sawyer went out to dinner with her. I presume it was in an actual restaurant.

Honestly, I'm a little surprised that nothing has leaked.