Activist: Caitlyn Jenner Doesn't Show Trans Reality

Caitlyn Jenner was introduced to the world yesterday in a glamour shot on the cover of Vanity Fair. The photo and the story about the Olympic athlete's transition — she was formerly known as Bruce Jenner — has generated a lot of conversation, especially on social media. But some transgender activists are worried that the attention given to Jenner's glamorous appearance focuses on the wrong issues. 

Yeah it's great the media is paying attention to trans women. But Caitlyn Jenner and the reality of most trans women are worlds apart

— Sophia Banks (@sophiaphotos) June 1, 2015

So once people get over how beautiful Caitlyn Jenner is can we talk about trans women being locked up with men in prisons?

— Sophia Banks (@sophiaphotos) June 1, 2015

"What makes trans women "women" is that they are women. And there's really nothing I can put in my body or do to my body or put on my body that is going to make me anymore of a woman," said Sophia Banks, a photographer and transgender activist based in Toronto. 

She told WNYC host Richard Hake that she hopes more attention will be given to the kinds of struggles the majority of transgender people live with, particularly homelessness, poverty and discrimination.

"Forty percent of trans women will attempt suicide. Many trans women are rejected from families, many trans women make under $15,000 a year. Many trans women end up doing survival sex work just to pay rent," Banks said.