ugh, Bruce Jenner comes out of the closet...

[woolldog]

as a Republican.

says he "believes in the Constitution"

Was watching Dianne Sawyer's special on him and everything was going great, it was interesting and then he threw that out there.

[linuxman]

1. In what way

is believing in the Constitution a partisan ideology?

[yeoman6987]

18. I am sure it is due to fiscal reasons

Republicans allow him to keep more money. He may say Constitution but taxes are part of it I guess.

[Shrike47]

57. Believing isn't the problem, it's announcing it that's the issue.

Lots of us believe in the Constitution, including the 1st, 4th and 5th Amendments. Those who bring it up tend to be naive and focused on the 2nd Amendnent.

[philosslayer]

2. Do you NOT believe in the Constitution?

[patricia92243]

3. I believe in the Constitution, and I am a Democrat. We Dems

are patriotic and believe in the Constitution as a living, changing document.

So, did Jenner say he was a Republican or not???

[tammywammy]

4. He said he's a republican. n/t

[dixiegrrrrl]

8. and he got welcomed:

Log Cabin Republicans welcome Bruce Jenner 'as transgender and as a conservative Republican' - @LogCabinGOP

[Ken Burch]

12. shouldn't that be "SHE's a Republican"?

Bruce identified as female in the same interview.

[woolldog]

16. For now he wants to be called "he"

per Diane Sawyer.

[marym625]

89. He's, in a way, saying goodbye to the Bruce Jenner we thought we knew.

He said that this is the last interview we will see him. He will give us her name when he emerges as her.

[Ken Burch]

95. Ok.

It will be interesting to see how he parses out being a Republican(which is actually the political allegiance you'd expect Bruce and Le Famille Kardashian to take, given their position in the class system)with becoming a transwoman(the group that may have it harder than any other in this country these days in some respects, and a group whose very existence causes massive cranial eruption among most GOP voters).

[marym625]

96. I agree

I honestly missed him saying that. Maybe I fell asleep for a couple minutes and didn't realize it. I watched the entire show.

I doubt that he is very political. I could be wrong.

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

51. You just save me two hours, tivoed it, will not watch it now...

[tammywammy]

64. That's sad.

The fact he's a republican was maybe two minutes of the whole interview, and it was a very interesting interview.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

92. Agree 10000%

It was a fascinating interview - not at all sensationalist, but rather intimate and informative.

Anyone that would not watch because of Bruce Jenner's political affiliation is missing out on a great story, IMO.

[FreeState]

73. Its this type of attitude that makes politics suck

You seriously can't respect each other enough to listen to them? How sad.

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

100. I respect what she is doing, and she may well effect rightwingers since she is one, but I HATE

it when someone gets rich and joins the con party to save on taxes no matter how much it harms others.

I HATE that

[FreeState]

107. How do you know why he joined the party?

He didn't state why he is a republican other than he believes in the Constitution.

[marym625]

88. I watched the whole thing

And I truly don't remember him saying that. I say him because he said, until he publicly emerges as her, we should say him.

It is worth watching. It is truly a great vehicle toward understanding what many transgender people go through. It will help, I believe, a dialog that will benefit society.

Just mho.

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

102. Which is why this pisses me off, I am a huge supporter of the LGBTQIA community

and her/his affiliation with a political party based almost solely on saving money on taxes, pisses me off.

Given the harm that political party wants to do to his/her community.

But, as Ari Rabin-Havt said today, maybe by being a con he/her can get some of them to stop being such assholes about this, maybe.

BTW, the Amazon original series "Transparency" is a must see for every living human being.

[marym625]

104. Thank you for the Transparency info.

I will have to get it.

I posted about the hope with transgender and Republicans this morning. If you are interested.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026574492

[ScreamingMeemie]

5. I believe in the Constitution...

...
...

[woolldog]

6. Guys

He said he's a Republican.

And then Diane looked at him stunned.

And then he said "I believe in the constitution"...as if liberals don't

[Cha]

7. yeah, it's a brainwashed stupid jerk thing to say. Too bad.

[MH1]

97. Ugh.

I only saw part of the interview and wish that I could have watched it all, but I missed that part.

The part I saw was fascinating.

It occurs to me that the biggest reason he gets to choose his gender is because he has the wealth to afford to ... many people cannot even choose whether they get to eat tonight. But given he has the ability to make the choice, I respect it, and think that his making the process public and open is probably more helpful than harmful to people who truly struggle with gender identity.

It's sad that he's a republican and as such would deny important choices to others. (Like, frequently, whether they get to eat tonight.)

[DemocratSinceBirth]

9. Support the transition but announcing you're a Republican

SMH

[Lex]

10. He certainly picked the party that will support his transition.

Oh, wait.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

11. This will be a test to see if they embrace Bruce's transition.

NT

[JI7]

13. some freepers are saying he is mentally ill and being taken advantage of

and think the kardashian women caused him to be that way.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

14. Why are they speaking ill of a fellow Republican? /NT

[AuntPatsy]

54. He picked the right party, his obvious main objective being "The Financial Transaction"

It's a no brainier what's more important for Mr Jenner...

[marym625]

90. I'm sorry, but shame on you

A star athlete publicly coming out as transgender should be applauded. I don't give a flying fuck how much money he makes off it. If this helps one person not kill themselves, it's worth every penny

Additionally, to think anyone goes through this for the money is absolutely outrageous

[AuntPatsy]

91. I can agree with both view points but lean more towards my original statement....

He had power, a voice that could have aided in saving many many lives, he chose to wait, fear? Perhaps, sometimes to be a true hero you must make the right choices...

Not once did I say he is transgender because of money? I have no need to feel ashamed by my opinion...

[marym625]

93. Did you watch?

He explains in detail why he waited.

You may not have said that was the reason but it sure read that way.

May you never have to be in this position

[AuntPatsy]

94. Yes I watched which is how I was led to rethink my original opinion on it all.

Again, I stand by it...

[Dawson Leery]

15. As to imply Democrats do no believe in it.

Also, the GOP is at war with the LGBT community. Jenner is doing himself and his fellow LGBT no favors by supporting the current GOP.

[Laffy Kat]

17. Consider the source.

Those family members aren't exactly the sharpest knives in the drawer.

[Hepburn]

49. Shit, they don't even qualify, IMO, as DULL knives! n/t

[JHB]

50. Not even the sharpest spoons.

[woolldog]

66. I bet most of the Kardashian clan

aren't conservatives. Jenner isn't a Kardashian.

[Hepburn]

81. You had me curious, so I Googled:

According to Kourtney:

"My household is really split-up. The parents are Republicans and the children are Democrats, so it’s like a political warfare in our household when we talk about politics."

[wordpix]

85. and what is Kanye, R or D?

[woolldog]

86. Interesting

Thanks Hepburn.

[n2doc]

20. I believe in the Constitution. ALL of it.

I am not for ignoring those inconvenient parts like the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th amendments.

[bigwillq]

21. I don't know why anyone would care

what political affiliation someone they do not know belongs to.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

22. Your answer makes abundant sense for private individuals but not public ones...

Your answer makes abundant sense for private individuals but not public ones, especially wealthy and influential ones, as the latter have much more influence.

[treestar]

26. And he volunteered the information

[DemocratSinceBirth]

27. Precisely

Do you think you or me will get to say we are Democrats to tens of millions of people on prime time television?

[cwydro]

38. What influence does he have?

Who cares about his political affiliation?

You really think your average low info voter will be happy that a transgender Kardashian shares their political views?

The guy/gal is famous, but I sure don't think he will influence anyone's vote.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

41. If he didn't have influence he wouldn't have been given a two hour platform on prime time tv

If he didn't have influence he wouldn't have been given a two hour platform on prime time t v and his pronouncement be the topic du jour the next day.

[cwydro]

42. I understand where you're coming from, but

I think there is a difference between celebrity and influence. That ridiculous show with the Mama June character and the child (name eludes me right now) is an example. They seem to be on various shows, but I cannot believe anyone would be influenced by them, nor by any of the idiotic Kardashians.

[Bluenorthwest]

56. Except that Jenner was a huge, giant athletic celebrity for 15 years before he even married

into the Kardashian family. I'm sorry but Olympic athlete making a gender transition is something Americans will ponder because he's an athlete and America tends to be very macho about sports. I was told on DU this week that by having an opinion contrary to that of straight men, I am simply too emotional and need to order some boxing matches on PPV like Jesus wants me to. So yeah, sports culture.

Honey Boo Boo's Mom, for what it's worth, never won a gold medal and also voted for Obama.

[cwydro]

59. Honey Boo Boo! Thank you lol!

No, I do agree with you on the gender transition thing in regard to him being an athlete. That's all good.

I just meant I don't care about his political affiliation and I don't think his political views will influence anyone.

If his transition gives others courage, THAT I can get behind...and I think that's great.

Very cool that the mama voted for Obama. Goes to show working class folks don't all follow the herd as so often posited here on DU. I do realize she's probably not working class anymore, but that's who she was for a long time.

Sorry that someone here made that comment to you. Ignore the haters.

[LiberalElite]

23. What's the Repug reaction now that

Last edited Sat Apr 25, 2015, 01:04 PM - Edit history (1)

possibly the most famous transgendered person is more out than they would want?

[snpsmom]

28. transgender* n/t

[Puglover]

24. We were sort of 1/2 way watching it

however when Bruce or some Kardashian threw out the "wisdom" of Kanye West the channel was turned.

I will NEVER understand the fascination with those people.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

25. I believe Bruce's transition is sincere...

I believe Bruce's transition is sincere and most of the responses of his immediately family were clearly genuine but there was some calculation between some of the responses.


BTW, I like some of Kanye's work.

[Puglover]

29. Happy you do!

However not a fan here.

It probably stems from the fact that I have utterly no interest in the private lives of people I don't know personally. I suppose that makes me self centered.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

32. The theory goes that by a famous person coming out ...

The theory goes that by a famous person coming out it offers confirmation to others who are not famous dealing with the same issues.

Makes sense since suicide and suicide attempts is endemic to transgendered teens.

Oh, empathy is supposed to be the benchmark of liberalism.

[Puglover]

34. Yeah it's a theory. Whatever.

Spare me the lecture about liberalism and empathy. I have plenty of empathy for Jenner. If her journey is good for kids that are going through the same thing, that is great. The fact that I am more interested in the transgendered daughter of my best friend rather then someone that I don't know that happens to be famous has nothing to do with my empathy or lack there of.

If your bench mark of being liberal is watching Entertainment Tonight and being fascinated with every move the Kardashians make then you are right. I fail miserably.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

36. I wish your best friend's daughter success on her journey

The thing is Bruce Jenner was given a megaphone last night and perhaps offered some confirmation and comfort to other transgendered folks who are at the beginning of their journey, in the midst of their journey, or have completed it.


It was a seminal moment.

[Inkfreak]

74. By failing, you are winning in my book. Faux reality shows are dumbing down America. (nt)

[Puglover]

78. Thanks very much!

[yeoman6987]

58. If he said he was a Democratic supporter would you write the same

Reply? I can't believe on 20 second snippet is completely changing the dialogue.

[Puglover]

65. Read very carefully.

I wasn't interested in Bruce Jenner before all of this and I am not interested in her now.

I am puzzled as to how that was unclear. And I could not care less what her political affiliations are.

[catbyte]

30. So Jenner's going to be a lesbian?

If he's not attracted to guys and is a woman trapped in a man's body, I guess so. That will REALLY make bagger heads explode.

[WillowTree]

52. You really don't get what being transgender is all about, do you?

And snickering about this such things like a backward tweenager does not reflect well on you, either.

[catbyte]

87. Who's snickering? WTF? If he goes through gender modification surgery, he will be a woman.

Is he going to stay physically a man? If so, I misunderstood. I would NEVER slam someone for who they are.

[Erose999]

105. I know a couple o FTM's who are transitioning to gay male identities. Meaning they're still into men

just in a gay sort of way. Gender and orientation are two different things.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

33. The literature suggests transgendered folks

The literature suggests transgendered folks don't just like some things identified with the opposite gender, they totally identify with the opposite gender.

Oh, and sexuality and identification are best looked at through a continuum.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

37. The literature

The literature suggests transgendered folks identity is incongruous with the gender they were assigned at birth. They literally feel they are trapped in the body of the wrong gender.


As to gay couples I suspect neither or either partner has to adhere to traditional sexual norms.


Sexuality, sexual orientation, and sexual identity are complex.

[cherokeeprogressive]

55. "Women feel happier with a man who likes being a man."

Fuck me to tears...

[Heddi]

61. Seriously. I've read some fucked up shit here today

Things I'd only imagine reading on FR. Not DU.

he's confused
he's not mature
this is a phase
women are happier with men who like being a man

[cherokeeprogressive]

63. As the proud parent of a Transgender I can't believe my eyes here.

So much unmasked, out-in-the-open bigotry. I'm very much ashamed of DU today.

#transformationtuesday
#transhappiness

[Heddi]

70. It's really sickening to me. Absolute hatred couched in the "hey, I'm just asking the questions"

nonsense.

Frat boy fart jokes and tee hee hee so he's a man that is married to women and what about the children he fathered...so is he a lesbian now tee hee hee.

fucking beasts here, I swear.

I'm sorry you have to read this bullshit. I'm sorry anyone does. I'm even more sorry that people aren't ashamed to show their bigotry in public.

[Inkfreak]

75. I'll stand with you and your child. People can be so rude and pass it off as ignorance.

It's gotta be frustrating.

[Puglover]

67. LOL I love it how my husband and I are able to

"switch between who is feminine and who is masculine in any given situation." It makes our relationship so much easier.

Christ

Hey Hed!

I am getting the business up thread for having the gall to not give a crap about Bruce Jenner or the Kardasians. How dare I.

[Heddi]

69. It's fucking ridiculous

I love it. "So....are you the top, or the bottom?"

Uh...both? neither? all of the above? and why limit to top and bottom? I like to be in the middle to be perfectly honest with you

[WillowTree]

53. More than identifying WITH the opposite gender, they identify AS the opposite gender.

Big ol' difference there.

[marle35]

39. On the point about number of men vs. women who are transgender

It is true that there are more biological males who identify as female then vice versa. There are also more men who identify as gay then women.

When it comes to both gender and sexuality, women more often fall on a continuum. There are more women then men who identify as bisexual, more straight women who admit to same sex attractions / experiences, and likewise more gay women who claim attractions to the opposite sex. Not that they all do, but it appears to be more frequent.

Personally, I think it is both biology and society that makes women's gender and sexual identity less black and white. Most people will claim it is just society, because there are legitimate reasons for believing that society is more tolerant of women blending gender lines. However, biologically women have more 'holistic' brains, with the corpus callosum (the part of the brain that bridges the two hemispheres) being thicker in women. Who knows what other biological factors may contribute to the sex differences? As with most things, I believe there are multiple factors from the environment and biology.

[whathehell]

43. Yes.

He now says he "is a woman" and has always felt this way, but I can't help

but wonder if he felt this way when fathering six children.

[Humanist_Activist]

71. Obvious transphobe is obvious...

No surprise, with posts like this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023521667#post42

[NuclearDem]

101. Holy shit.

Stop. Just stop.

[Humanist_Activist]

72. You are aware that gender identity and sexual orientation are not necessarily linked?

I will give you the benefit of the doubt, for now, after that, if you wish to NOT learn about it, then obviously you would prefer to be ignorant and bigoted.

[Calista241]

40. I can't help but think he's doing this for publicity. n/t

[fadedrose]

44. +++

[FreeState]

68. Your right, he's dressed in secret for years just for this moment

he came out to his wives in the 80's just for this moment. He sure can see in the future! Educate your self or at least watch the show your commenting on.

[Inkfreak]

76. Such callousness...

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

45. Another bromide Republicans love to use to bumper sticker their idiocy

Along with "I'm a patriot" and "I believe in traditional values" because of course you can't do any of that unless you are a "conservative".

[vankuria]

46. Bruce is a 1%er

And loves his tax breaks, his politics probably only goes as far as what effects him. I would bet living in the bubble he's made for himself he has no clue how GOP politics effects the rest of us and the world.

When he transitions to a woman he may be in for a rude awakening, however may-be not, he's had a life of privilege and may continue to have one even being transgender thanks to his wealth.

I'm quite sure he has no clue how the average LGBT person or any minority deal with exclusion, bigotry, racism, poverty, hate...all issues that are not part of his world.

[wordpix]

84. lol, on the last show Kim explained

to Bruce that he needs to stop buying $5000 gifts for each of his grown kids or he could be in financial dire straits one day.

[Rex]

47. Meh. That is pure projection built into the party. Jenner knows he has to say that

since he also knows the the GOP is the ONLY party that craps on the Constitution. It is like when Foxnews has to declare (repeatedly) that they are 'Fair and Balanced".

PURE 100% REPUBLICAN PROJECTION.

Ignore it, not worthy of your consideration imo.

[damnedifIknow]

48. Oh yes, the Constitution

GOP leaders told Bush that his hardcore push to renew the more onerous provisions of the act could further alienate conservatives still mad at the President from his botched attempt to nominate White House Counsel Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court.

"I don't give a goddamn," Bush retorted. "I'm the President and the Commander-in-Chief. Do it my way."

"Mr. President," one aide in the meeting said. "There is a valid case that the provisions in this law undermine the Constitution."

"Stop throwing the Constitution in my face," Bush screamed back. "It's just a goddamned piece of paper!"

http://rense.com/general69/paper.htm

[AzDar]

60. Glad that he's going to be the person he wants to be... but post-Bush, anyone who self-identifies

as a Repube (especially using the flawed and ridiculous justification Jenner did) is a fucking moron.

[Vinca]

62. Hope he doesn't try to order any wedding cakes for himself.

I suspect GOP bakers like transsexuals as much as they like gay people. Why on earth is this person a Republican?

[odd_duck]

77. The fascist Cons...

look at the Constitution with one-way tunnel vision.
Example;
When the Constitution talks about "Freedom of religion", the fascist Cons believe that to mean freedom of a Christian religion and all other religions don't count.

[Dawson Leery]

98. +1,000,000

[tavernier]

79. When your "closet" has 10 million dollars worth of shoes,

you are probably a republican. If you want to come out, it's probably only because you need a bigger closet. Be any gender you want to be, Bruce, but don't claim to know what it's like for transgender people who live in a world without your talent and advantages and fortune. They are disowned, ridiculed, often turning to crime or suicide because the very "conservative" people you espouse look upon them as freaks.

Buy a clue, or else stay in your cushy closet. You shouldn't be giving advice to any transgender child.

[FreeState]

80. Maybe you should watch the show

Because all those points and more are covered in the show.

[tavernier]

82. I did watch it.

I guess we have differing opinions.

I have difficulty understanding how he could possibly affiliate himself with people who dont like or trust "his kind".

[wordpix]

83. I don't get that, either - repugs don't exactly embrace the LGBT community

[Zorra]

99. Maybe we can convince him to see the error of his republican ways.

After all, republicans are an ongoing threat to the health, safety, and liberty of the transgender community.

[dembotoz]

103. rich person is a republican-now there is a shocker

[gordianot]

106. People make tough decisions every day I prefer not to look at this in the check out line.

..or be subjected to the wild sensational speculation of those trying to capitalize on him now her for profit.

My opinion of reality shows they are something I avoid and tend to lump commercialization of Kardashian's in the same category as Duck Dynasty.