“Much as I'm reluctant to further any infighting within the transgender and gender nonconforming community, I also have a responsibility to speak truth to power. Your visibility has gone from mildly annoying, to problematic, to atrocious, to outright detrimental, and so I ask you, politely:
Stop trying to help though the media and public appearances. Please. Stop.”
In reaching out, Jacobs explains how the trans community embraced Jenner and offered support and empathy. But as time went on Jenner’s statements have caused more damage than good. Anxiety peaked with Jenner’s announcement of a reality show.
“At first we were teased with previews of you interacting with trans youth, trans men, genderqueer people, trans people of color, trans people rejected by their families, trans people who were desperate and had few choices other than sex work (not to suggest sex work is inherently bad), and the full diversity of the trans community -- that maybe you might gain a deeper understanding of who we are (yourself included) and that just possibly the rest of the world could be educated vicariously through you.”
But instead, Laura Jacobs writes, “we witnessed a continuation of the Kardashian circus.” Trans people are not Kardashian wannabes. That is not a lifestyle we aspire to; that is a lifestyle that has kept us oppressed.”
Jacobs points out that Jenner also loves Texas Republican Senator and Presidential Candidate Ted Cruz, and Jenner seems to think she and her “girls” will be able to influence Cruz when it come to making policy on trans issues. But by Jenner aligning herself with a politician/party that espouses “discrimination and violence,” she is insulting and creating more danger to the majority of her community. HERE and HERE as examples and Jacobs says there are countless more.
“Do you genuinely believe any of your tourbus 'friends' will join behind hatemongering bigots who would eagerly eliminate services, marginalize all 'others,' and impose 'religious freedoms' to force our return to the shadows? That Ted Cruz will suddenly be sympathetic to the needs of an inner-city, African-American, trans sex worker because you are in his life?”
Jacobs adds:
“(By the way: let us know how your experiences go using the Mens' Room due to one of the many 'trans people have to use the restroom associated with their biological gender' bills making their way through several Republican controlled legislatures.)”
Laura Jacobs admonishes Jenner even more when she writes, “You have become a pawn to be used against your own,” and says “the media stories in which many are calling the trans community hypocritical for confronting you have propagated throughout the religious right wing.” Jacobs says Jenner is causing many to become more resistance to trans — and even less open to trans as human beings. Laura Jacobs sums up her letter to Jenner with, “At this point, what we most need from you is silence.”
You can read Laura Jacobs’ full letter here. It’s a great read. Or you can also visit her website at www.LauraAJacobs.com.