Despite Caitlyn Jenner’s transgender identity, LGBTQ activists are not happy with the former Olympian’s bid to oust Gavin Newsom as governor of California.
Shortly after Jenner made the big announcement that they would run for governor, LGBTQ activists were upset that Jenner would be running as a Republican.
“Make no mistake: we can’t wait to elect a #trans governor of California,” tweeted Equality California. “But @Caitlyn_Jenner spent years telling the #LGBTQ+ community to trust Donald Trump. We saw how that turned out. Now she wants us to trust her? Hard pass.”
Make no mistake: we can’t wait to elect a #trans governor of California.
But @Caitlyn_Jenner spent years telling the #LGBTQ+ community to trust Donald Trump. We saw how that turned out. Now she wants us to trust her?
Hard pass. @StopRepRecall pic.twitter.com/0zMw2HURNG
— Equality California (@eqca) April 23, 2021
Trans activist Charlotte Clymer went even further by denouncing Jenner as an “unqualified hack.”
“Caitlyn Jenner is a deeply unqualified hack who doesn’t care about anyone but herself,” tweeted Clymer. “Her views are terrible. She is a horrible candidate.”
“Caitlyn Jenner has no real support. I don’t care about her candidacy. I do care about the ways in which her asinine views will be weaponized against trans people and the ways in which transphobia will go unchecked. This is purely a vanity campaign, and it’s incredibly selfish,” added Clymer. “Caitlyn Jenner’s only real political position is doing whatever it takes to boost Caitlyn Jenner, and she doesn’t care who gets hurt along the way. I wish this didn’t need to be said, but undoubtedly it does: whatever you may think of Caitlyn Jenner–and I do NOT think kindly of her–please remember there are numerous valid critiques of her without turning to transphobia. Please think before you post. Please.”
Caitlyn Jenner has no real support. I don't care about her candidacy. I do care about the ways in which her asinine views will be weaponized against trans people and the ways in which transphobia will go unchecked.
This is purely a vanity campaign, and it's incredibly selfish.
— Charlotte Clymer 🏳️⚧️🇺🇦 (@cmclymer) April 23, 2021
I wish this didn't need to be said, but undoubtedly it does: whatever you may think of Caitlyn Jenner–and I do NOT think kindly of her–please remember there are numerous valid critiques of her without turning to transphobia. Please think before you post. Please.
— Charlotte Clymer 🏳️⚧️🇺🇦 (@cmclymer) April 23, 2021
Transgender writer Jennifer Finnley Boylan told HuffPost in an email: “I wish her well personally. But I can’t see how the conservative policies she is likely to embrace will help Californians.”
Sasha Buchert, co-director of the Transgender Rights Project at the LGBTQ-rights group Lambda Legal, said Jenner should be judged based on the policies being proposed.
“It matters to us what policies candidates support — and what their track record might be — on a full range of issues, not just trans rights and inclusion,” Buchert added. “That is the lens one should always use in evaluating any candidate, including Caitlyn Jenner.”
In the announcement for governor, Jenner knocked the Democratic Party’s stranglehold on the once Golden State of California.
“California has been my home for nearly 50 years. I came here because I knew that anyone, regardless of their background or station in life, could turn their dreams into reality,” Jenner said. “But for the past decade, we have seen the glimmer of the Golden State reduced by one-party rule that places politics over progress and special interests over people. Sacramento needs an honest leader with a clear vision.”
Jenner likewise ripped Gavin Newsom for high taxes and his crippling lockdown of the state.
“Taking on entrenched Sacramento politicians and the special interests that fund them requires a fighter who isn’t afraid to do what is right. I am a proven winner and the only outsider who can put an end to Gavin Newsom’s disastrous time as governor,” said Jenner.
“Small businesses have been devastated because of the over-restrictive lockdown. An entire generation of children have lost a year of education and have been prevented from going back to school, participating in activities, or socializing with their friends,” Jenner added.
Related: ‘I’m In!’: Caitlyn Jenner Announces Republican Run For CA Governor