By now the news of Bruce Jenner's surgical transformation to the now Cailtyn Jenner has spread worldwide. While conservatives are crying that this is an abomination in the eyes of the Christian God, those leaning towards the left are applauding Jenner for her bravery.
Those claiming that this monstrosity will ruin America are the same who excused Josh Duggar for his incestuous and illegal tendencies to molest his younger sisters. I'm finding it hard to believe that a woman who was born in the body of a man will somehow corrupt America, yet a self-admitted child molester seems to be viewed as a martyr. It deeply saddens me that we have somehow lost sight of the things worth fighting for. Rather than fighting for a child-molester to walk free, we should be focusing our efforts on creating an accepting environment for those outside of the social norms.
Many right-winged conservatives are outraged that Caitlyn Jenner will be receiving ESPN's Arthur Ashe Courage Award, claiming that Jenner performed no heroic act. To this I ask them: what is defined as heroism then? Sure, growing up we imagined heroes to be people in capes who rescued a kitten from a burning building. But in reality, heroism has not one definition. One does not need to face death to be labeled courageous nor does one need to give their life to die with honor. These ideas are far removed from the society of 2015 America. In this day and age, perhaps heroism is nothing more than unapologetically being one's true self. And if so, what's so wrong with that?
For those of you who remain unaware of the difference between sex and gender, let me explain, because there is absolutely a difference. Although used interchangeably, the words do not mean the same thing. Sex is a biological term. This is the difference in genitalia between born-females and born-males. Gender, however, is the characteristics determined by society. Sex does not determine gender nor does gender determine sex. I myself identify as a woman in both my sex and my gender. I consider myself lucky. For some people, it's not that simple. For those born transgender, it means that their sex and their gender don't match up. They may have the genitals of a male but feel that their gender is female. This is the case with Cailtyn Jenner. She went her whole life until recently feeling alienated from her body. It's a crushing idea to not feel at home in one's physical self.
Some might say that this is all fine and well, but having in a sex change is a slap in the face to our creator. Many conservatives say that God doesn't make mistakes and that identifying as transgender is nothing more than a perversion. To them, I ask this: What about people born as hermaphrodites, meaning that they have both male and female genitalia? No one questions the legitimacy of this. Those born with any sort of medical condition are not crucified for them but treated without question or hesitation. None of these are viewed as mistakes, so why should the transgender community be on trial for something they have no control over? Caitlyn Jenner did not choose to be born in the wrong body. She did not choose to feel like a stranger to herself. She did not commit an unforgivable sin by finally uniting her sex and her gender. She needs God no more than anyone else. She is finally whole.
According to livescience.com, 41% of those who identify as transgender attempt suicide. This heartbreaking number reflects the inner turmoil those identifying as transgender face. And who can blame them? In American society today, it seems that more than ever people are becoming dangerously concerned with the lifestyles of others. I am here to share a groundbreaking fact: it does not matter now, nor will it ever matter, that you disagree with someone else's lifestyle. Again: it does not matter. To be frank, it's getting a bit creepy how interested some people are with what goes on in the privacy of other Americans' homes. Those quick to judge the lifestyles of others are often not leading the most righteous of lives themselves, ahem, Duggar family.
However, while I full-heartedly support Jenner in her choices and smile at her newfound happiness, I do agree with her critics on one point: God makes no mistakes. Caitlyn Jenner is not a mistake.
