profeminist:

“Stop trying to help though the media and public appearances. Please. Stop.

Caitlyn, our trans sister, we were openhearted when you came out. We embraced you, offering support and resources. We respected what you were feeling; so many of us have suffered our own similar dysphoria and torment.

Our community watched nervously as you sat with Diane Sawyer and we recognized it was merely an initial place of naiveté. We forgave the melodrama and the missteps. Again, we were all at the beginning once.

Time went on. Your ongoing statements left us anxious, but each time we made allowances. With increasingly gritted teeth.

More recently, since I Am Cait, Season One, every word you utter makes evident your lack of awareness. Season Two thus far demonstrates that your mindset remains rooted in in the same shallow perspectives and that you are resistant, perhaps even incapable, of change.

Additionally, according to numerous articles reporting your support of Ted Cruz, you said: “[…once Ted Cruz becomes president, I will] have all my girls on a trans issues board to advise him on making decisions when it comes to trans issues. Isn’t that a good idea?”

In aligning yourself with a politician and a party that espouse discrimination and violence (subtle and overt) at a time when transgender people are still vulnerable, you have scorned the majority of your community. (See HERE and HERE, though there are countless more.)

The notion that Ted Cruz would offer his ear because he was ‘nice’ to you pretransition is absurd. You were a cisgender, privileged, white male athletic superhero then. Please heed this lesson, since you have not already: things are different for you now.

We beg you, or at least *I* beg you: just stop trying to help through visibility.Put your efforts behind the scenes. Be a TransFairy Godmother and donate to the countless organizations that are desperate for resources to help those with less access.

I still welcome you as part of our community, and underneath our umbrella, but I’ll ask you once again to stop putting yourself forward as someone who represents us.

At this point, what we most need from you is silence.”



Read the full essay here