Jenner receives positive feedback following controversial announcement

Famous Olympian Bruce Jenner has bravely declared that he is transgender, and the public, for the most part, has been responding in an appropriate, encouraging manner.  As portrayed through the media, many celebrities and friends have been reaching out to Jenner in a positive way.  Jenner, 65, announced on April 24, on ABC News’ 20/20 interview with Diane Sawyer, that he identifies himself as a woman.

Celebrities have been coming out with overwhelming support for Jenner.

As stated on The Huffington Post, Lady Gaga tweeted, “#BruceJennerABC Now that is bravery…We have the chance to write this moment in history together. Let’s empower people like Bruce all over the world by being loving & not mean.”

Jimmy Fallon tweeted, “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. #BruceJenner #Brave.”

There are approximately 700,000 transgender people living in the United States today without confidence in showing the public who they really are, because of our society that is full of harmful discrimination toward LGBTs.  There are many activist groups and individuals that are empowering others and fighting for equality to fit in.

As stated on ABC News, Linda Thompson, Jenner’s second wife, said, “Bruce has always had my loyalty, even if he wasn’t aware of it. I support his courage and commitment to this new chapter of his life.”

In his recent interview, Jenner also identified himself as a Republican.

As stated on The Washington Post, “I’ve always been on the more conservative side,” Jenner said when asked by Diane Sawyer his thoughts on President Obama being the first president to say the word ‘transgender’ in a State of the Union address. Jenner also said he identified as a Republican when Sawyer asked.”

According to a GALLUP poll on The Washington Post, 21 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans classify as a Republican.

Avid republican Kathryn Lehman, in an interview with The New York Times said, “I’m trying to break the stereotype that all gays and lesbians, especially lesbians, are Democrats.”

Many Republicans do not support LGBTs, so many found it surprising when Jenner announced that he was a Republican after saying that he was transgender.

As stated in an article by Gregory T. Angelo from Fox News, he said, “As Log Cabin Republicans, we believe there is no conflict between conservative principles and our endorsement of civil marriage equality.  Rather, our group holds that legal same-sex marriage is a natural extension of the conservative doctrines of limited government, individual liberty and a strong family unit.”

Although many people have been supporting Jenner through social media, others disagree with his actions and beliefs.

There should be no reason for people to publicly show Jenner disrespect for a personal life decision that he made.  As stated on ABC, “People look at me differently. They see you as this macho male, but my heart and my soul and everything that I do in life — it is part of me,” Jenner said. “That female side is part of me. That’s who I am.”