Caitlyn Jenner is nothing if not willing to learn. Earlier today, we ran a piece calling her out for shockingly retrograde politics, particularly in the upcoming presidential election.
Her continued support of Republican candidates that seem hell-bent on marginalizing any and all minorities was baffling to say the least. Jenner’s vocal backing of these candidates seems bizarre given her place as perhaps the most prominent trans woman. Of course, Jenner’s celebrity, visible transition, and continued conservatism were providing an object lesson for those who conflate progressive identity politics with progressive actual politics.
In a recent Instagram, she showed that she’s willing to open her mind and admit when she might be mistaken. The picture, captioned, “#learningfrommygirls #willingtolisten” shows Jenner with Candis Cayne, Zackary Drucker, and Hillary Clinton.
Yes, you read that correctly.
This is about as shocking an about-face as one can have. Jenner went from calling Clinton a “political hack” and saying that “the country is over” if she were to win, to posing for a picture with her. Now, Clinton is not exactly our most progressive candidate. Her defense of husband Bill’s anti-gay legislation in the 1990s can be chalked up to political expediency if you’re feeling charitable, but she’s regularly beaten to the left by her Democratic primary opponent Bernie Sanders.
Still, as the leading candidate and, you know, actual woman, Clinton seems like the standard bearer for women’s and trans issues moving forward. Caitlyn has built her star persona about championing those issues, so her support for Clinton is only natural. Although it's certainly possible that Cait will vote for a Republican candidate, a willingness to listen is a heartening turn in the right direction.