Bruce Jenner became an Olympic legend in 1976. He was featured on the Wheaties box. He was a champion.
In 2015, Jenner can find that glory once again — in an even more important space as he will reportedly transition to a transgender woman.
From BuzzFeed:
Bruce Jenner, the Olympic gold medalist turned reality
star, will soon discuss what the gossip press and gawkers have been wondering of late: Yes, Jenner is planning to sit down for an interview to come out as transgender and discuss transitioning. BuzzFeed News has confirmed that Diane Sawyer of ABC News was in the final stages of negotiating the interview as of last week.
Despite major progress being made in the LGBTQ space, Jenner continues to be portrayed as much less than a human in tabloids— the publications that have focused on him most.
Jenner reportedly will be featured in a docuseries that follows the Kardashian-Jenner family as they support him and will air on E!.
Social attitudes are changing but as Deadspin points out, there is a ways to go.
It’s worth remembering that for as quickly as social attitudes are changing, America can be a grim place for transgender people. According to a survey by the National Center for Transgender Equality, nearly 41 percent have attempted suicide, compared to the rate of 1.6 percent for the general population. Nearly two-thirds have been sexually assaulted. More than half have lost a job as a direct result of gender bias; more than half have been harassed or bullied in school. And that’s everyone, not just the sports world.
Nicholas Kristof, of the New York Times, offered an opinion piece on the courage of Jenner — an athlete Kristof looked up to growing up.
Radar Online quoted his mother, Esther Jenner, as confirming the news and saying she was prouder of him now than when he won his gold medal. His stepdaughter, Kim Kardashian, told “Entertainment Tonight” that it was Jenner’s story to tell but added: “I think he’ll share whenever the time is right.”
Good for Jenner. All this is probably harder than the training for the Olympic decathlon — but more important, because transgender people face hate crimes and discrimination at an astonishing rate.
Being in a position of heightened visibility, Jenner has the chance to encourage more societal growth.
Editor’s Note: The male pronoun was used for Jenner because he has not made an official statement about his preference on the transition or preference on pronouns.