Caitlyn Jenner: ‘I get more flak for being Republican than for being transgender’
Caitlyn Jenner has told a group of university students her political views has attracted far more attention than her very public transition that dominated the media cycle last year.
Appearing at the University of Pennsylvania, the former Olympian said she has copped “flak” for her firm Republican view, when a student asked Jenner why she chose not to support the Democrats, given their position on transgender rights, reports Out.
“I have gotten more flak for being a conservative Republican than I have for being trans,” she said.
Vanity Fair reporter Buzz Bissinger, who authored Jenner’s coming out article, injected with, “Just because you change gender doesn’t mean you change your core beliefs.”
When Jenner was next asked to respond to claims she was a poor role model for the transgender community, she denied being a ambassador at all.
“Well, I’m not a role model!” she said.
“I’m so new to this community I don’t expect to be one.”
Jenner also denied her decision to transition while in the public eye was motivated by publicity or profit.
“I don’t need the money. So I don’t understand that claim,” she said.
“No one transitions for financial gain. No way. You don’t do it unless you know deep down in your soul that it’s the right thing to do.
“If I can’t be honest with myself about what I’m doing, I’m no good for anything.”
Meanwhile, the GLAAD nominee also told students one of her greatest regrets was never telling her father she was transgender. “That will always haunt me. I think eventually he would have come around,” she said.
“He would have never understood, he didn’t know anything — gay, trans, all that other stuff. But I’m sure he’s looking down from heaven right now and saying, ‘Well, you’re doing a good job.”
More stories:
Watch: Caitlyn Jenner’s documentary trailer