Transgender Trailblazer Renée Richards Talks Bruce Jenner, Preference for ‘Transsexual’ Label
“He’s basically a heterosexual man,” the former tennis star tells GQ while discussing speculation about Jenner’s sexuality
Greg Gilman | May 27, 2015 @ 9:25 AM
Last Updated: June 3, 2015 @ 2:06 PM
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Dr. Renée Richards, a former athlete who paved the way for transgender rights by fighting to play professional tennis after undergoing gender reassignment surgery, doesn’t think Bruce Jenner’s sexual orientation will be affected by his female transition — and she’s speaking from experience.
“It’s interesting that people talk about Bruce Jenner: ‘What’s his love life gonna be after he’s transitioned to a woman?’ He’s been married a couple of times — he’s basically a heterosexual man,” Richards, now a successful ophthalmologist, told GQ in a new interview. “I find it hard to believe that he’s suddenly all of a sudden become oriented towards men. It’s conceivable, but it makes for a complicated life.”
“I never really felt oriented sexually to men. It was fun having sex with a man, especially the first few years as Renée. It was fun, and I enjoyed it, but there was never a love object,” Richards said. “I just realized that my sexual orientation wasn’t gonna be changed by my sex change.”
Jenner has said his won’t be either (Jenner previously specified he still prefers the male pronoun). “I’m not gay,” he told Diane Sawyer last month while explaining the difference between sexuality and gender identity.
“Sexuality is who you’re attracted to, who turns you on — gender identity is who you are, what is in your soul,” Jenner said.
Richards, who was born Richard Raskind, has lived 40 years as a man and 40 years as a woman. But she doesn’t consider herself to be much of a pioneer, despite the New York Supreme Court ruling in her favor in 1977 after the U.S. Tennis Association denied her entry into the U.S. Open because she wasn’t born a woman.
“I was a reluctant pioneer, so I can’t take that much credit for it,” Richards said. “I was not an activist. It was a private act for my own self-betterment, for what I wanted to do. Some people don’t understand why I’m not an activist for the transgendered community, why I don’t talk and preach. I think I do more good for that community by being the best doctor I can be, by being the best tennis coach now and formerly tennis player I can be.”
Perhaps Richards can’t commit to activism because she’s not entirely happy with the community’s preferred nomenclature.
“I am not overly happy with the word ‘transgender.’ It is very inclusive. I was a ‘transsexual’ — I changed from man to woman. Not something in between,” Richards said. “Transgender suggests, and does in many instances refer to, an in-between — part way from one sex to the other. And the idea of androgyny is not appealing to me. I like the binary system that God designed for us – -two sexes, two genders, male and female. It’s what makes the world go round and is the spice of life.”
Still, Richards thinks the “climate of increased awareness of transgender as a subject” has educational value that will help shape society in a number of positive ways, whether it’s how people view the transgender community or how members of the community view themselves. But she still yearns to learn more about the scientific nature of gender identity.
“I don’t see much taking place, however, in the area of causation, etiology, ‘why’ this happens,” Richards said. “There’s very little research from the scientific community.”
11 Transgender Stars Weigh In on Trans Images in Entertainment (Exclusive)
Chaz Bono, Transgender advocate, writer and musician
1. What transgender story or character has been particularly meaningful or impactful to you?
"'Boys Don't Cry' was important to me. It was about a year after I saw that film that I started to question my own gender identity. It's a difficult movie to watch, but it was the first image of a transgender man I'd ever seen in the mainstream media. Even though the character wasn't perfect and there was a tragic ending, I could still identify with Brandon. Seeing that film helped me figure out that I was transgender."
2. What is a common stereotype or cliché in stories about transgender people that you never want to see again?
"I'm so tired of seeing TV shows and films where transgender people are either victimized or killers. And too often those characters that are supposed to be transgender don't look or act anything like actual transgender people. People in the entertainment industry who are writing, casting, directing, and acting transgender roles have a responsibility to do their research and make it more realistic."
Jennifer Finney Boylan, Author and professor at Colby College in Maine 1. What transgender story or character has been particularly meaningful or impactful to you?
"I wish I could say that more trans stories or characters helped me on my way when I felt most alone— but when I was coming out, quite frankly, I struggled because none of the narratives out there felt like they had anything to do with the life I wanted to live. As a woman my concerns have always been pretty close to the hearth - I have always prioritized the lives of my children and the woman that I love. Right behind that was my work as a teacher, and trying to be a positive force in the lives of my students. I didn't see that story being told when I was in my 20s and 30s; all the characters I read about seemed to suggest being trans was some wild and radical act. Now, of course, I think I have come full circle. Now I believe that there's probably no more radical thing that a trans person—or anyone—can do than raise a family, and to live your truth without shame."
2. What is a common stereotype or cliché in stories about transgender people that you never want to see again?
"I am tired of seeing trans people as tragic heroes. 'Heroes' are good, but do we always have to be tragic? Can we not be honored for the things we do that make us human, rather than the things that makes us extraordinary? I mean, I do believe that trans people are all heroes, and that we are extraordinary - but the media needs to show our humanity, and not to constantly exploit us. I know that there is a tremendous amount of work to be done, to help reduce unemployment and harassment of trans people - but the media can help bring this change about by altering the narrative. I want to see a trans person on a TV show whose gender identity is as unremarkable as anyone else's. I want to see a show that simply shows that being trans is just one more way of being human."
Ian Harvie, Comedian, writer and actor 1. What transgender story or character has been particularly meaningful or impactful to you?
"I am particularly proud of Laverne Cox and her role on 'Orange is the New Black' on Netflix. Laverne is a trans woman, in a trans role, bringing beautiful truth to her character, Sophia. She's tough and vulnerable at the same time, dealing with her family on the outside and her new found family on inside. No matter how you identify, if you don't fall in love with her character, you have no soul."
2. What is a common stereotype or cliché in stories about transgender people that you never want to see again?
"I would be all right with NEVER again seeing Trans people being depicted as mentally ill or unlovable. I would LOVE to see Trans folks represented as healthy, lovable humans, in a beautiful, loving relationships with their families friends and lovers and with people of all genders."
Andrea James, Writer, director, producer and transgender advocate
1. What transgender story or character has been particularly meaningful or impactful to you?
"My favorite fictional trans character is Ludo Fabre in Alain Berliner's 1997 Belgian film 'Ma Vie En Rose.' The film came out during my own transition and is one of the first films to depict trans youth, a topic now at the forefront of the trans rights movement. It's an absolute outrage that this sweet and thoughtful film is rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America. An honorable mention to my favorite metaphorically trans character: Rachael, the replicant who "passes" as human in Ridley Scott's 1982 sci-fi classic 'Blade Runner.'"
2. What is a common stereotype or cliché in stories about transgender people that you never want to see again?
"If I never see another transgender "regret narrative" again, I'd be just fine with that. Authors and journalists who wouldn't dream of taking the 'ex-gay' movement seriously are happy to over-represent the small number of people who vacillate in how they express their gender, often presenting them as self-hating 'ex-trans' people. There's nothing wrong with moving around on the gender spectrum if someone wants, and everyone should be allowed to express their gender however they wish, whenever they wish. We must continually work to end the 'all or nothing' mentality about gender identity and expression."
Carmen Carrera, Reality TV star and model
1. What transgender story or character has been particularly meaningful or impactful to you?
"Laverne Cox's character on 'Orange is the New Black' is the only transgender character I think I've ever related to on television. Watching her character's transition play out on the series really hit home. I'm familiar with going through the steps, the effects on your family, facing adversity in public settings and all at the same time trying to stay focused on keeping peace of mind. I think the insight of transitioning has definitely given a little bit more of understanding to our world."
2. What is a common stereotype or cliché in stories about transgender people that you never want to see again?
"I hate the whole prostitute, low-life story. It's so false and degrading. Also the 'I tricked you' story is so ignorant 1990's. There are powerful, intelligent trans women out there, like myself, who know we are way more than the clichés and the stereotypes. I really would love to see a positive and accurate representation of the trans woman of today. We are truly amazing."
Diego Sanchez, Director of Policy at PFLAG, formerly senior legislative adviser for Congressman Barney Frank
1. What transgender story or character has been particularly meaningful or impactful to you?
"Brandon Teena, portrayed by Academy Award-winning Hillary Swank, in the film 'Boys Don't Cry.' I went to a pre-opening showing of the film, and afterwards, the packed theater moved to the lobby where we first stood together, speechless, riveted for nearly 30 minutes before going together to have ice cream. It remains powerful to me. The movie didn't stick precisely to the facts as the documentary 'The Brandon Teena Story' did, but it resonates with me still as powerful and meaningfully important."
2. What is a common stereotype or cliché in stories about transgender people that you never want to see again?
"I wish that I never again have to see transgender people portrayed as exaggerated caricatures of people ripe for ridicule, rather it would nice for those who portray us to recognize that we are people, just like everyone else."
Isis King, Fashion model and designer, former contestant on 'America's Next Top Model'
1. What transgender story or character has been particularly meaningful or impactful to you?
"I always like to see love stories about trans people finding love and functioning in society as normal people. I've seen very few stories like that, but those have been the most meaningful to me because we've already seen all the sad stories - now we want to see uplifting, motivational stories!"
2. What is a common stereotype or cliché in stories about transgender people that you never want to see again?
"I'm tired of seeing the trans hooker that doesn't have character development outside of being a sex object. The side girl who doesn't get the respect of even being treated as a person, let alone a lady."
Monica Roberts, Award-winning blogger at TransGriot
1. What transgender story or character has been particularly meaningful or impactful to you?
"The best trans characters so far have been Edie Stokes in a 1977 episode of "The Jeffersons' and the Alexis Meade character on 'Ugly Betty.'"
2. What is a common stereotype or cliché in stories about transgender people that you never want to see again?
"Trans media representation has been a mixed bag. We still have media outlets that refuse to follow GLAAD and AP Stylebook standards. What I would like to see are trans actors and actresses actually playing trans people, trans writers writing those roles and stories."
Kye Allums, First transgender NCAA Division 1 college athlete, founder of Project I Am Enough
1. What transgender story or character has been particularly meaningful or impactful to you?
"I was so happy to see Laverne Cox land the well deserved role in 'Orange Is The New Black.' I got a chance to hangout with her last month and I watch random people on the street shout out that they love her. It made me smile because it is too often trans women of color are treated with disrespect, especially in New York. She is living her truth as a proud black trans woman and changing hearts while doing so. I couldn't be prouder."
2. What is a common stereotype or cliché in stories about transgender people that you never want to see again?
"I would love to see more trans men of color being represented in the media. I would also like to hear from significant others of trans people."
Mia Ryan, Star of "Houston Beauty" on OWN
1. What transgender story or character has been particularly meaningful or impactful to you?
"My favorite transgender story has been 'Major!' a documentary about long-time trans advocate Miss Major Griffin-Gracy. She was dealing with her gender transition during a very difficult time in history, and I believe that this has influenced the evolution of acceptance towards the LGBT community as a whole."
2. What is a common stereotype or cliché in stories about transgender people that you never want to see again?
"I think that trans representation in the media is slowly changing and I do believe that the trans community is being given a chance by audiences, but I would like to see media change their target perspective when reporting a story dealing with anyone in the trans community."
Jamie Clayton, Actress
1. What transgender story or character has been particularly meaningful or impactful to you?
"I'm really happy with the roles I had on HBO's 'Hung' and 'Dirty Work' [dirtywork.com]. Both characters, Kyla & Michelle, were great representations of the 'every girl.' They're women juggling their jobs, dating, family and trying to fit in."
2. What is a common stereotype or cliché in stories about transgender people that you never want to see again?
"I would love to see more trans characters that are regular, working members of society, representations that aren't criminal or sexualized where the story isn't about them being trans, they just happen to be. Those are the roles I like to watch and play."
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In honor of Transgender Awareness Week, GLAAD and TheWrap partner to bring you these takes on representations in TV and Film
Chaz Bono, Transgender advocate, writer and musician
1. What transgender story or character has been particularly meaningful or impactful to you?
"'Boys Don't Cry' was important to me. It was about a year after I saw that film that I started to question my own gender identity. It's a difficult movie to watch, but it was the first image of a transgender man I'd ever seen in the mainstream media. Even though the character wasn't perfect and there was a tragic ending, I could still identify with Brandon. Seeing that film helped me figure out that I was transgender."
2. What is a common stereotype or cliché in stories about transgender people that you never want to see again?
"I'm so tired of seeing TV shows and films where transgender people are either victimized or killers. And too often those characters that are supposed to be transgender don't look or act anything like actual transgender people. People in the entertainment industry who are writing, casting, directing, and acting transgender roles have a responsibility to do their research and make it more realistic."
