Since her first appearance in front of a camera on reality show “Keeping up with the Kardashians” in 2007, Caitlyn Jenner has consistently made headline news.
Prior to her appearance on the hit TV show she had a six-year decathlon career, during which she won the men’s decathlon event at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.
But those of a younger generation remember her as the calm father figure to the Kardashian women.
She has six children with three wives and appeared on the show with her third wife Kris Jenner their daughters Kendall and Kylie Jenner, and Kris’s other children Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, and Rob.
In 2015 Caitlyn came out as a trans woman in 2015 and announced her new name and is now known as one of the most famous transgender women in the world.
The now 71-year-old was very public about her transition starring in the reality television series “I Am Cait”, which focused on her gender transition.
Two years after coming out she appeared on the front cover of Vanity Fair.
In her debut Vanity Fair interview as Caitlyn, she explained how liberating it felt to finally be open as a woman:
“I have nothing left to hide. I am kind of a free person, a free soul. Up to this point, I would wear, you know, Bruce would wear sweatshirts with hoods on them so paparazzi can’t get pictures and all that kind of crap.”
Caitlyn uses her public platform wisely campaigning for the LGBTQ+ community… especially when it comes to transgender children, gaining many awards for her campaigns to highlight issues affecting the trans community.
She received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award in 2015 because “she has shown the courage to embrace a truth that had been hidden for years, and to embark on a journey that may not only give comfort to those facing similar circumstances, but can also help to educate people on the challenges that the transgender community faces,” said ESPN executive producer Maura Mandt.
Now six years after coming out she is using her platform to take a different direction – into politics.
The former Olympian announced that she would be running for governor of California.
As part of her campaign she has been very outspoken about the Biden administration, even going as far as saying she is “scared” by the direction the new president is taking.
But not everyone is supporting someone that you would think would take a more liberal stance considering her journey – as Caitlyn is a Republican and has reportedly already put together a team that includes some of former POTUS Donald Trump’s advisers.
She has even come out to air her views on transgender girls competing in sports saying: “I oppose 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.”
Her comments come as 30 states consider 200 anti-LGBTQ bills, many of which ban transgender students from competing on girls sports teams from middle school through college, as per NBC News.
President Joe Biden said in his first joint address to Congress at the end of April that he has the back of all transgender Americans.
“To all transgender Americans watching at home, especially the young people. You’re so brave. I want you to know your president has your back.” he said.
Caitlyn slammed President Biden’s administration saying she doesn’t agree with anything he’s done so far.
“Biden, I don’t think I’ve agreed with anything,” Caitlyn told Fox News’ Sean Hannity.
“I don’t think, since he’s been in there, he has done anything for the American worker, maybe other ones. So, it is a 180-degree turn in our country, going the other direction, and it scares me.
“What I liked about Donald Trump is, he was a disruptor.
“He came in and shook the system up, OK? A lot of people didn’t like that in Washington, D.C., but he came in and shook the system up,” she said.
“I think he did some things that I agree with, some things I didn’t agree with… on trans issues, LGBT issues. I was more hopeful at the beginning. But there were some good things he did.”
Caitlyn isn’t branding herself as Trump but said she wanted to be a “role model” and a “leader” adding: “I think the most important thing as a leader that you can do is your compassion, your honesty, and I think that sometimes is very lacking in politics. So, I want to be an example to all people, not just trans people.”
What do you think of Caitlyn Jenner’s new direction into politics? Do you think she has a chance of becoming governor? Please post your thoughts below and share this story.
