No Raven, Caitlyn Jenner Isn't Going 'Too Fast, Too Soon'

Never one to keep quiet about her controversial opinions, The View co-host Raven-Symoné continued to show the world why she was even put on the daytime TV in the first place when she said that former Olympian and reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner was moving “too fast, too soon,” as an advocate for LGBT people.

“When I came out, I didn’t go and go hardcore and be like, I’m going to save the world for LGBT,” Raven said on Monday morning’s episode in response to the series premiere of the transgender woman’s reality show I Am Cait. “You’ve got to learn it. You’ve got to learn it first, and she’s not, really.”

While Raven’s has a valid argument in the case that you have to truly immerse yourself in a culture to really represent it, we can’t help but disagree with her sentiment that Caitlyn Jenner is doing too much for her LGBT brothers and sisters. Yes, Caitlyn has really been at the forefront of the media ever since her very public transition earlier this year, but since then, she has done nothing but use all of that attention for good…

Her show helps normalize what it means to be a trans woman.
Although there is no one specific trans experience, and while Caitlyn does live a more glamorous, privileged life than most people (LGBT or not), there is no denying the impact having her story broadcast on a popular mainstream network has on people who are still coming to terms with their identity and the people who still view being trans as something not normal or weird.

Instead of capitalizing on her privilege as an affluent celebrity, she uses it as a platform to shed light to those who can’t necessarily always speak for themselves.
During her acceptance speech for the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at this year’s ESPYs, Caitlyn spent some time talking about trans youth, and how they shouldn’t have to deal with people’s hatred and bullying. Something mainstream media almost never pays attention to.

Caitlyn has also been vocal on the issue of suicide in the transgender community, something that, according to a personal blog post, she feels strongly about.

“…this is the reality for far too many in the transgender community. And it’s not because trans people are somehow inherently unstable — it’s because we live in a world that makes it very, very difficult to be trans. Many people, especially kids, can’t see how they can live as their authentic selves and keep their family, their jobs, and their homes,” she said.

Some people, like Raven, may see Caitlyn’s newfound trans activism as off-putting, but for the rest of us who are optimistic about her future as an LGBT advocate, we’re absolutely here for it.

What are your thoughts on Raven-Symoné’s comments on Caitlyn Jenner? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter!