Valley transgender community reacts to Bruce Jenner’s decision

Myles Vine goes to College of the Desert. Assigned female at birth, the 21-year-old lives as a man.

“I always knew that I was male. It was just getting my family and the people around me to recognize that,” Vine said.

After months of testosterone injections, he’s preparing to undergo surgery in the near future.

“I’m pretty excited about it because I’m pretty tired of having these things on my chest. Once it’s done, it’ll be a huge sense of relief,” said Vine.

With America’s eyes now fixated on Bruce Jenner’s journey toward becoming a woman, Vine said he applauds Jenner coming out with the decision under the spotlight.

“Especially because we live in such a celebrity culture where we often don’t see or view these celebrities as people like us,” said Vine.

Thomi Clinton, an activist in the Coachella Valley’s transgender community, says transgenders face high rates of suicide, discrimination and violent crimes against them. Already referring to Jenner as a woman, she worries the public attention will harm what should be a personal journey.

“Transitioning is often a very private and personal voyage and I’m concerned that without her having a lot of transgender friends and growing and being educated on transgender issues, she may do some enormous blunders,” Clinton said.

Both Clinton and Vine hope Jenner’s journey will shine light on the issues and create more “transvisibility.”

“I think because she’s in this public eye she has a great opportunity to be informative and move things forward,” said Vine.

“If she finds her happiness and finds out who she wants to be and is at peace, I think that’s the biggest important thing we need to support her on her journey.”