Sask. LGBT community reacts to Caitlyn Jenner cover

The Olympian, father and celebrity, formerly known as Bruce Jenner, appeared publicly as a woman on the cover of the latest Vanity Fair. The title, "Call me Caitlyn", is printed across a photograph of Jenner, who is posed in a one piece bathing suit.

Naturally, the photograph and article sparked a fury of online discussion and commentary. However, some Saskatchewan activists and community members say Jenner's move is less superficial than it may seem.

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Lisa Phillipson, Co-Chair of Regina Pride Inc., said Caitlyn Jenner has become a positive symbol for the LGBT community.

"Lots of people have predetermined stigmas about what being trans is all about," Phillipson said. "I think it really challenges what people might define masculine and feminine as. There is such a binary out there as to what masculine means, what feminine means. When really, there is just a diverse population of people out there, who like things and don't like things, and that doesn't necessarily make them more manly, or more girly."

Phillipson explained that because Jenner's life as a man was highly public, his transition into life as a woman has helped alleviate some of the pressure on transgender communities when it comes to visibility.

"There seems to be a stigma. You need to be one or the other, you can't be both. Or you can't be a combination of both. That is not true," she explained. "I think she is a bit of a role model."

Differing views

Miki Mappin, Board Co-Chair with TransSask Support Services, said she is not convinced Jenner's move is good for the transgender rights movement.

"There's a lot of scrutiny of appearance," Mappin expalined. "It's a pretty sensational article, really. The details of genitals and all the stereotypical 'let's be girls and talk about outfits and hair stuff."

Mappin said she was sent the article by a friend and at first she was not thrilled.

"I have to say, my reaction, looking at the picture was a bit of a catty one. She used all of these artificial means to achieve this."

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Mappin said the cover shoot plays to gender stereotypes that have been set for women.

"Its kind of tough. It is a pretty high standard she has tried to achieve."

Despite prejudice, Mappin said the local transgender community has had many wins in recent years, including successfully lobbying for changes in the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code.

"There's still people being fired from their jobs, there's still people being discriminated about in housing, there's still young people being bullied and being afraid to come out, there's an awful lot of people afraid to come out," Mappin explained.

Mappin explained she is happy that Jenner has had a successful coming out, but her feelings remained mixed on the move.

"I think more conversation is always good. My fear is that people are focusing on the wrong things."