Caitlyn Jenner's Vanity Fair cover was a big step forward for the transgender community, but for some, it represented a rare and exclusive experience.
Caitlyn Jenner is not like most trans women. She made her debut on a major magazine cover, came out on national television (which was planned on her own terms), and she's surrounded by a family that supports her, no matter what. And this isn't to say Jenner's introduction to the world wasn't important -- it was -- but simply put, her experience as a trans woman is much different than many others in the community.
Asian trans woman Kai Cheng Thom addressed the issues with Caitlyn's cover earlier this week in an open letter, in which she writes openly about her own harassment-filled experience of going through life as a trans woman.
And it seems Cheng Thom isn't alone in her thinking.
With the help of a new hashtag, #MyVanityFairCover, trans women are getting a chance to put the spotlight on themselves, and we think it's wonderful.
Created by fellow trans woman Crystal Frasier, who tweeted templates for women to use, the hashtag is meant to encourage members of the trans community to showcase their diversity and beauty. The idea came to mind after a friend of Frasier's Tweeted, "Where's MY Vanity Fair cover?"
In a blog post on Tumblr, Frasier writes, "...we’re beautiful, and we all deserve to feel beautiful, and be acknowledged by the world. Admiration and praise for trans women shouldn’t only come if we fit a narrow definition of beauty. As a good friend of mine said Monday 'Where’s my Vanity Fair cover?'"
Women in the community have been participating in the online movement, and the results are awesome:
It's so great to see these women making themselves visible -- we think all their covers are inspiring. And even better -- they showcase just how unique each member of the trans community is. As Bustle notes, "As trans people become more visible in society, it’s important that we keep in mind how diverse and varied the trans community is, and not let one image of trans people dominate mainstream perception. So as amazing as Caitlyn Jenner’s Vanity Fair cover is, we could definitely stand to see a lot more."
We couldn't have said it better ourselves.
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