Outcry over ‘menace’ Caitlyn Jenner’s backwards views on trans athletes: ‘She doesn’t represent trans people’
Caitlyn Jenner. (David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty)
George Takei has branded Caitlyn Jenner a “menace” after she stated her opposition to trans athletes competing as their correct gender.
Speaking to TMZ on Saturday (1 May), the former Olympian – who is currently fighting to become California’s next governor – said she opposes “biological boys who are trans competing in girls’ sports in school”.
“It just isn’t fair, and we have to protect girls’ sports in our schools,” Caitlyn Jenner said.
George Takei condemned Jenner for her comments on Twitter on Sunday (2 May).
“Caitlyn Jenner is no friend of the LGBTQ community. Don’t call her an activist. She’s a menace,” the Star Trek icon wrote.
Caitlyn Jenner is no friend of the LGBTQ community. Don't call her an actvist. She's a menace.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) May 2, 2021
The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star has been widely criticised by members of the LGBT+ community for her anti-trans comments.
Caitlyn Jenner condemned as a ‘self-loathing, vapid fame-whore’
Trans musician Plastic Martyr hit out at Jenner for abusing her “privilege and platform”.
“Caitlyn Jenner opposes trans girls competing on female sports teams…. Excuse me while the trans community take the knife out of our back,” Martyr tweeted.
“This is why it’s important to #SayNoToJenner. Because she is a self-loathing, vapid fame-whore that abuses her privilege and platform.”
Caitlyn Jenner opposes trans girls competing on female sports teams…..Excuse me while the trans community takes the knife out of our back.
This is why it's important to #SayNoToJenner
Because she is a self loathing, vapid fame-whore that abuses her privilege & platform.— Plastic Martyr (@plasticmartyr) May 2, 2021
Countless others have criticised the reality television star for her incendiary comments – with many questioning why she is falling on the side of Republican legislators who are trying to stop trans youth from playing sports when she herself is trans.
Caitlyn Jenner didn’t show any remorse for the person she ran over with her car so I suppose it’s not surprising that she’d be willing to throw a generation of trans teenagers under the bus for a shot at more money and fame.— Ari Drennen (@AriDrennen) May 2, 2021
Caitlyn Jenner doesn’t represent trans people. She doesn’t even represent cis views on trans issues, considering 68% polled are against laws banning trans girls from sports.
She represents no one but herself, power hungry, ready to step on other trans people for political gain.— Erin Reed (@ErinInTheMorn) May 2, 2021
1. the trans athlete issue is not an actual issue, it’s been fabricated by republicans who want to prove how conservative they are to voters
2. caitlyn jenner is trying to win the votes of those republicans pic.twitter.com/Vh0y44FRaz
— matt (@mattxiv) May 2, 2021
What evidence is @Caitlyn_Jenner basing this point of view on?
The state of California has ALWAYS allowed trans student to participate in sports.
What team,
School district,
Or athlete has been adversely affected by the unfairness?
…………………. https://t.co/bbTHSumuif— Stephanie Ruhle (@SRuhle) May 2, 2021
Others have also pointed out that Jenner’s comments starkly contradict her stated position just one year ago.
Speaking on Outsports podcast The Trans Sporter Room in April 2020, Jenner said: “I think every trans person, if they’re into athletics, should have an opportunity to compete and to improve themselves. I think sports is such a great way to learn a lot about yourself.
“And yeah, I want to, hopefully they’ll have the opportunity in the future to do whatever they can do. I’m all for it. I’m all for it,” Jenner said at the time.
https://twitter.com/jessicashortall/status/1388873336961204228
Jenner’s sudden change in perspective comes as numerous states advance cruel anti-trans laws that seek to exclude trans young people from sport entirely.
Trans sports bans have already been pushed through in Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, South Dakota, Alabama and West Virginia, while governors in North Dakota and Kansas promised to veto similar bills.
There are currently more than 250 anti-LGBT+ bills making their way through state legislatures in the US, according to the Human Rights Campaign.
