Ever since Bruce Jenner sat down with Diane Sawyer, there has been a lot of talk about transgenderism. Some have been left feeling confused about the subject, as it has never been as widely discussed as it is today. From these discussions, plenty of opinions have been shared about the topic and Jenner’s decision. One of the biggest, unanswered questions primarily concerning Jenner was about the female name he felt belonged to him. He had openly said that he had dressed as a woman, but never before was her name released.
Only a small group of people knew her name until the new issue of Vanity Fair revealed their cover with “Call me Caitlyn” in bold letters across it. At first glance I, admittedly, was unsure of whom the woman on the cover was. It wasn’t until after I looked closely that I saw the familiar looks of the former Bruce Jenner. The thought hit me at once; it’s Caitlyn, it’s her.
While this issue of Vanity Fair is set to hit newsstands June 9, their site has provided a preview of the 22 page cover story online along with a video.
The overview of the story did not share much information that was previously unknown about Jenner; however, Pulitzer Prize-winning Vanity Fair contributing editor, Buzz Bissinger, who covered the story, writes, “She even describes doing public appearances after winning the gold medal, where ‘Underneath my suit I have a bra and panty hose and this and that and thinking to myself, They know nothing about me. . . . Little did they know I was totally empty inside.”
The preview talks a lot about Jenner’s family and mentions that Bruce was an absent father, especially for his children from his first and second marriage because he felt he was living a lie. In the short video attached with the preview, Jenner says, “Bruce always had to tell a lie…Caitlyn doesn’t have any secrets.”
As Jenner has said before, she wanted to share her life and stop lying before she had wasted her life away, never truly becoming what she knew she was destined to be. While this Vanity Fair story is certainly another huge step in her journey to freedom, there is also an E! series scheduled where she will further discuss her journey.
The soon to be series has sparked criticism and provided further evidence for some people who have speculated Jenner only did this for money. Jenner supremely shuts them down; however, he acknowledges that he does have a mortgage payment. The overview explains Jenner has a much greater reason than money for publicizing her story, “She says that on the E! series she will focus on ways of lowering the rates of suicide and attempted suicide in the transgender community, among other issues.”
In the video Jenner says, “As soon as the Vanity Fair cover comes out I’m free.” By publicizing her journey, Jenner may be becoming free, but she is also giving a voice to the transgender community. Her bravery in sharing her deepest fears with the world is incredible.
In the words of Caitlyn Jenner, “Welcome to the world Caitlyn. Can’t wait for you to get to know her/me.”
