Bruce Jenner officially announced her transition into Caitlyn Jenner at the beginning of the summer, releasing her Vanity Fair cover and drawing the attention of the public to her decision.

Some students express support for her decision to transition under public scrutiny.

“It’s an awesome thing for the transgender community,” junior Brianna Brin said. “Being in her position is a brave thing to do.”

Junior Jacob Alexander agrees Jenner’s actions are praiseworthy.

“I think it’s admirable that she’s taking steps to bring light to a situation that pertains to a lot of people,” Alexander said. “It’s not completely socially acceptable to do what she’s doing, so she’s making it a little bit more acceptable.”

Senior Grace Walker believes one should have the option to do what is necessary to find peace with oneself.

“If you feel like you were born in the wrong body, you should be able to change however you want in order to be happy,” Walker said.

Others were apathetic towards Jenner’s situation.

“I honestly couldn’t care less either way,” sophomore Alex Bogart said. “It’s kind of weird, but it doesn’t really matter.”

Where there is support, there must be opposition.

“Whether you’re happy or sad about your life, changing your gender is not the correct response,” senior Lucas Stouffer said. “No matter how you feel about your body, changing your sexuality is wrong.”

Regardless of the opposition Jenner faces, she was the recipient of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.

“She absolutely deserved it,” Walker said. “I think the people who say ‘but what about the soldiers’ are stupid. Being a soldier isn’t the only kind of bravery there is and Caitlyn is a hero to millions of people.”

Brin commented on the rumors of the runner-up for the award being a soldier.

“It bothers me that people were so upset about it, they made up a story about there being a runner-up of a soldier out of fear of transgender people having rights and being recognized,” Brin said.

Several students believe Jenner serves as a role model to people everywhere.

“Transgender teens are so scared to be themselves,” Brin said. “When someone famous goes and does that, it opens the public’s eyes, even though there are naysayers.”

Walker said she feels they need someone many people are familiar with and already idolize.

“It may make coming to terms with what they want to do a lot easier with someone who is already well known and looked up to,” Walker said.

Students feel it is imperative to be true to yourself.

“Being yourself is really important,” junior Cassandra Quinby said. “I think this sets a great example for that.”

                                                                                                                                                 17rbasso@usd489.com