Caitlyn Jenner. It was almost as if the awards show was advertised and centered around Jenner's life and times. Personally, I was not surprised by his choice to be more feminine. I always thought he was more effeminate than most jocks. He was a 'pretty boy' of athletics at that time. I even told people back then I felt he was a closet gay; I guess I was 'close' in that early assessment.
It sounds as though there were stories equal to the publicity that Bruce (Caitlyn) Jenner received. I know it's a hot-button issue, however, feel it's unfortunate that his life and situation stole the thunder, from others who also deserved recognition for their bravery, or accomplishments.
The next morning on GMA I saw Jenner's acceptance speech of the Arthur Ashe Award. Curious who else has received the Arthur Ashe Award? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Ashe_Courage_Award
After I saw Jenner's acceptance speech, I wanted to search on line for a bit more clarity of the word "transgender" as my understanding of a transgender might have been a bit skewed. Or, perhaps, Caitlyn is still learning about the LBGT communities.
Educating people about transgender and LGBT communities will be as daunting a task as educating people about marijuana. And, of course, with all controversial subjects, there are always those who will never, ever accept it. Often those people don't even want to hear about it, let alone discuss it or be open to learning more. A closed mind, is exactly that.
TRANSGENDER:
trans·gen·der
transˈjendər,tranzˈjendər/adjective denoting or relating to a person whose self-identity does not conform unambiguously to conventional notions of male or female gender. "a transgender activist and author"
adjective, 1. noting or relating to a person whose gender identity does not correspond to that person’s biological sex assigned at birth
2. noting or relating to a person who does not conform to societal gender norms or roles.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/07/16/why-some-critics-dont-think-caitlyn-jenner-deserved-the-arthur-ashe-courage-award/
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-caitlyn-jenner-courage-award-espys-20150715-story.html#page=1
http://espn.go.com/espys/arthurasheaward#/arthurasheaward/pastwinner/
http://www.isna.org/faq/transgender
For me, Jenner getting the award for bravery, affects me more than the fact that he/she decided to 'come out'. I still maintain this question, "Why now?" Personally, I am not so sure than society is ready to jump on the Caitlyn band wagon. Admittedly, I am a fence sitter, now. The more I read about transgender, I find this issue is as elusive as quantum physics!
I always understood 'transgender' to be the person who is changing their physical body, from one gender to another. I recently heard that Bruce has no intention of changing his 'plumbing'. To me, if you don't, then aren't you just a male, dressing in drag (also referred to as cross dressing). Even if you do change the rest of your body, you still carry your original sexual organs. How can one truly feel like the opposite sex without the total package?
I have provided some information I have found since yesterday. I mean not to make any judgement on any human being who is affected by gender identity. I know gays and I had a step-brother who was gay, so it's not like I'm against or ignorant of gay communities, and issues. I know masculine women, who love men and I know feminine men who prefer women.
I am a 'fence sitter' until I totally understand any hot-button issue. Yours is to make your own decision about transgender, and about Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner. I would be like his own mom ... accepting, however, I would never be able to call my child by anything other than his/her birth given name.
And then there is ... family ... his kids, and his ex wives. I want to have compassion and empathy for the wives, however, from what I've learned they all were aware and knew about Bruce's femininity and intentions and fears of being effeminate. It's difficult to show compassion, or empathy, under those circumstances.
Good luck, Caitlyn, I hope you're not disappointed and can fulfill your vision of being a spokes model (so to speak) for the transgender communities.