Now we know how Caitlyn Jenner sounds when she’s talking to family. I’m not talking about Kardashians and Jenners—we’ve seen plenty of those interactions on her reality show, I Am Cait—but, rather, her fellow Republicans. Jenner isn’t part of the official program of the Republican National Convention, but she’s in Cleveland, and she made an appearance at Wednesday morning’s Big Tent Brunch, hosted by the American Unity Fund, a conservative pro-LGBTQ group.
In a 25-minute Q&A with American Unity Fund President Margaret Hoover, Jenner was impressively forthright, especially on the subject of anti-trans bathroom bills.
The session began on a strange note, when Hoover declared Jenner “the most famous Republican in the world.” Hoover noted that it’s “rare as Republicans that we have so big a celebrity amongst us,” and although Jenner confirmed that she’s a proud GOPer, she made a pretty strong case that “the Democratic Party does a better job when it comes to LBGT community, the trans community, all that kind of stuff. And Obama actually has been very good from that standpoint, just recently letting trans people serve openly in the military.” She continued, “The Republican Party needs to understand, they need to know people who are trans. There are trans people in this audience, but you have no idea that they are trans.” Jenner said that her mission is to help her party learn more about transgender individuals and the LGBT community at large.
When asked by Hoover to help Republicans understand that “being trans is a real thing,” Jenner stumbled somewhat—though let’s face it, being asked to prove your existence is a bit of a philosophical stumper. “We are part of society. We’ve been around from the beginning of time,” she answered.
Jenner was especially strong on the subject of bathroom bills. “Everybody in the trans community is for safety,” she said. “We want bathrooms to be secure. … The laws already protect people in bathrooms. What we’re talking about here is something a little different.” Jenner hasn’t personally “had any issues about bathrooms,” she said, but “this isn’t about me. It’s about the kids.” She said that when kids self-identify as transgender at a young age, they face bullying and depression, with all too many attempting suicide. “Now you’re telling me that the state of North Carolina is going to come in and bully you, too, and say, ‘You can’t live your authentic life, and you have to go in this bathroom.’ It just doesn’t work. It’s even more depression for these kids.”
Jenner’s next statement was perhaps the most surprising of the session—not because it’s untrue, but because it’s a left-wing talking point. “Over the last few years we’ve had three Republican state representatives—John Hinson, Larry Craig, and Paul Allen [actually, Bob Allen]—who were all arrested for lewd behavior in a men’s bathroom. … Maybe what we should do is ban Republican representatives … from being in a bathroom if we’re trying to protect people.”
When asked what she would tell Donald Trump about the trans experience, Jenner said: “It’s about the next generation. We have to provide a safe environment for them. That’s by far the most important thing.” In the past, Jenner has said many regrettable things—let’s not forget that her favored presidential candidate was virulently anti-gay, anti-trans Sen. Ted Cruz—but this morning she made some essential points. Maybe the party should’ve put “the most famous Republican in the world” on the big stage.
