Caitlyn Jenner has been copping it online for supporting a bill that would ban transgender students from competing on sports teams aligned with their gender.
In at least 30 states across the US, bills have been introduced with these restrictions that stop transgender students from playing sport aligned with their gender because it could create “an unfair advantage”. The bill has been widely condemned and many believe it’s transphobic and unnecessary, including a NBC reporter who schooled the governor of West Virginia for signing one of the introduced bills.
THIS is how you interview. CALL THEM OUT pic.twitter.com/Ygz69r1jzb
— Liam Johnson (@liamjohnsonNY) April 30, 2021
Caitlyn Jenner is about to run for California governor, so obviously people are curious what her stance on the issue is. A TMZ reporter asked Jenner about the bill but surprisingly (despite being transgender herself) she actually agreed with it.
“This is a question of fairness. That’s why I oppose biological boys who are trans from competing in girls’ sports in school,” she told TMZ on Saturday.
“It just isn’t fair. And we have to protect girls sports in our schools.”
The reporter then asked whether the bill would delegitimise gender identity. Jenner ignored the question and just said: “have a good day.”
I didn’t expect to get asked this on my Saturday morning coffee run, but I’m clear about where I stand. It’s an issue of fairness and we need to protect girls’ sports in our schools.https://t.co/YODLDQ3csP
— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) May 1, 2021
Of course, many people are angry and it’s disappointing that such a public trans-female figure is not using her platform to uplift trans voices.
“Caitlyn Jenner is anti-trans. She doesn’t understand the science, and she is pandering to the ignorance of anti-trans people. I have absolutely not problem saying Caitlyn Jenner supports and directly benefits from transphobia,” American activist Charlotte Clymer wrote.
Caitlyn Jenner is anti-trans. She doesn’t understand the science, and she is pandering to the ignorance of anti-trans people. I have absolutely no problem saying Caitlyn Jenner supports and directly benefits from transphobia. https://t.co/wWZcUTPqj6
— Charlotte Clymer 🇺🇦 (@cmclymer) May 1, 2021
Caitlyn Jenner JK Rowling
🤝
rich white ladies who’ve come to dominate trans politics the last 6 years, even though they’re both clueless about trans people & issues, & most trans people desperately want them to leave us alone.— Julia Serano (@JuliaSerano) May 2, 2021
Caitlyn Jenner also supported Trump and the republican party when anti trans bathroom bills were being pushed for early in the Trump presidency.
She’s rich, elitist, and seems to believe if she cosies up to the right wing they’ll come for her last. https://t.co/1H15e2bKP1
— Laura Kate Dale – Mastodon “@LauraKBuzz@tech.lgbt” (@LaurakBuzz) May 2, 2021
Disappointing to hear that Caitlyn Jenner has used her platform and privilege to push back against supporting trans inclusion in sport for trans youth. 🏅
As someone with a trans history and sporting background she should know the facts.
— Mermaids (@Mermaids_Gender) May 2, 2021
It’s worrying to think that conservatives could use Caitlyn Jenner’s comments as ammo for their own transphobic beliefs. In fact, Piers Morgan already has and even called Jenner “courageous” for her stance on the issue. Ick.
Good for her.
Courageous and correct.
If anyone understands how unfair it is, then it’s surely @Caitlyn_Jenner.
Yet she will be new be destroyed by the trans lobby for stating the obvious. https://t.co/WfPkQlmAR6— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) May 2, 2021
Such an unnecessary bill that will only further exclude trans children at school, rather than bring about any real change. Really disappointing, Caitlyn.