https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/06/caitlyn-jenner-bruce-cover-annie-leibovitz
While transgenderism has been in the public eye for quite some time, no one rhetorical artifact has as much weight as when Caitlin Jenner came out as transgender in 2015. It shocked the world, but in the best way possible. It opened up the eyes of society and bridged a gap that was extremely hostile beforehand. Queer theory is involved here, as it allows the “underground” culture to rise to the forefront of people’s minds. While the rights for gay and lesbian individuals have been pushed to the spotlight in the past few decades, the push for transgender rights really shifted when Caitlin came out. It showed the world that gender wasn’t something to neglect, and instead something to celebrate and explore deeply.
Because queer theory revolves around the fact that gender is fluid, and one may feel a certain way for part of his or her life and then alter this perception, Caitlin’s transition makes perfect sense. It validates the theory, as she told Vanity Fair that “I’m not doing this to be interesting. I’m doing this to live.” This point is important because it breaks down the core of what queer theory argues. Sure, there is a performance aspect to it, but the performance is to display how incorrect society has framed people who feel/felt unheard. By Caitlin Jenner, a former olympian and reality tv star, coming out and telling the world that she felt uncomfortable in the body she was born in, it validates the feelings of people in the entire country who relate to her struggle. It also opens up queer theory to the general public, a public that may have dismissed transgenderism initially, due to not having any personal connection or awareness of the topic itself.
Another aspect of this rhetorical act to look at is hiding in plain sight, the fact that Caitlin chose to spell her name with a “C” instead of a “K,” like the rest of her family does. This choice speaks a lot on individualism, and Caitlin’s decision to align herself with something new. It is a redefinition of a sort, as she could have picked a name that didn’t sound similar to a “K” name, but she is showing a sense of willingness to align herself with what she feels closest with, while putting a spin on it. While the general public initially wasn’t sure how to react to Caitlin’s news, her decision clearly stirred the pot and allowed many people to question how they felt about the subject. While transgenderism and the LGBTQA movement are not fully respected or understood yet in today’s society, the progression of it is what will make it a success. Queer theory allows for a new reading of the world, and Caitlin Jenner’s transition signifies the beginning of this new interpretation of how gender and identities function in the world.
Rhetorical Criticism 