Transphobia seems to be the most recent and encouraged form of prejudice, now that racism and homophobia are not tolerated. It’s such a celebration of the worst aspects of human values. What this does is it sanctions people being judgmental and cruel toward transgender folks. This is bullying. Stop. Stop. Bruce Jenner is a human being. If you want to learn more about transgender issues, look at GLAAD.org.”
— Comic actor Russell Brand referring to the offensive InTouch cover which featured Bruce Jenner photoshopped and wearing lipstick and blush
Cam
I am getting a bit tired of Hollywood trying to basically say that ANYTHING written about them that isn’t glowing is “Bullying”.
Is there a transphobic element to much of the commentary on Jenner, probably, but then state that directly.
The part that is getting old, are people in Hollywood who go on TV to be public figures, and spread their entire lives out for public consumption to then claim that it is simply horrible for the public to talk about them.
If the public stopped talking about the Jenners or the Kardashians, you would have Kim taking testosterone and her brother taking estrogen in a second if they thought it would keep their names in the press.
mikehipp
@Cam: I can see your point, if it’s true about the Jenner. TMZ’s brand of reporting does not follow only people who are trying to live their lives out in public. TMZ’s logo is in the dictionary beside paparazzi is what I’m trying to say.
Saint Law
@Cam: This post reads like summut some obtuse old buffoon would have said about gay people in the public eye five years ago. The same conflation of an innate trait with the superfluous trappings of celebrity.
The Kardashians aren’t mocked because of their heterosexuality.
Has somebody hacked Cam’s account?
Stevenw
How about we stop wasting time listening to Brand?
smittoons
@Stevenw: If you like, but he’s one of the more coherent, conscientious and witty celebrity voices out there and not a bad person to have speak out for anyone’s cause.
Cam
@Saint Law:
I never said that the Kardashians were mocked because of their sexuality. I was saying that saying that talking about any of them is bullying, is disingenuous, considering that every waking minute of the Jenner’s and the Kardashians lives is spent trying to get people to talk of them.
Mocking Jenner for transitioning is transphobic, but Russel Brand somewhat saying that mocking any of them for their appearance is bullying I don’t think works as well with that family.
That said, Brand usually has fantastic commentary.
demented
I don’t think wondering about Bruce Jenner’s gender identity is inherently transphobic. When a man has his Adam’s apple shaved, grows his hair, wears lip gloss and is seen with small breasts, it’s inevitable people will wonder.
Mocking him for this is indeed transphobic, but “scrutiny” is not.
Arconcyyon
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jwtraveler
Good for him. When he is in performance mode, he sounds like a complete wacko, but this is quite articulate and on point.
However, I agree that when someone is in the public eye and they start to exhibit unusual behavior, it’s going to get attention and speculation. And being a part of that family doesn’t help. In large part, it’s the uncertainty that encourages the mockery, not to say that that makes it OK. But I think if he just came out and said: Yes, I’m a transsexual and I’m going through a transition; please respect that, most people would.
BJ McFrisky
Has Russell Brand ever looked in a mirror? Eeesh.
mjwatts
He’s right.
Simply wondering or speculating about Bruce’s gender identity isn’t wrong, just like speculating about whether someone is gay isn’t wrong. But I’ve yet to see a “”news”” source politely speculate about Bruce. It’s usually just mocking him and most if not all of the taunts come from transphobia.
Clark35
Russell Brand is a failed comedian/celebrity, and an attention whore. It’s funny how people have to worry so much about offending someone these days, and Trans people are always offended or angry about something.