Caitlyn Jenner has been in the news a lot this week, and that’s no accident.
Caitlyn’s memoir is set to hit bookstores next week, and she’s been engaging in a full-blown media blitz in an effort to ensure that it’s a bestseller.
Today, however, Caitlyn is in the news for reasons that have nothing to do with the bombshell revelations in her book.
Earlier this week, Survivor contestant Zeke Smith was outed as transgender by one of his fellow contestants.
In an effort to save himself from elimination, castaway Jeff Varner accused Smith of “deception,” citing the fact that he hasn’t come out as trans as proof that he can’t be trusted.
The outcry – both on the show and on social media – was immediate.
Varner was voted off the island, and tens of thousands voiced their support for Smith.
One of those supporters was the most famous trans person on the planet.
Taking a break from trash-talking the Kardashians in order to drum up interest in her book, Caitlyn Jenner publicly praised Smith for the way he’s handled the Varner situation.
.@zekerchief Being trans in the public eye is no joke, but you did good buddy. You made us proud,” Jenner tweeted.
The episode was filmed eight months ago, but Smith wasn’t able to speak out on the matter until now.
He says he’s come a long way in forgiving Varner, but believes that his former co-star still has a lot of issues to sort out.
Smith has yet to respond to Jenner’s tweet, but that’s not surprising, considering he’s been flooded with a deluge of supportive messages this week.
“I don’t think he hates trans people. I just think he has a lot of misconceptions about trans people,” Smith says.
“I think if he wants to be an ally to trans people, he has a long way to go.”
Though he was obviously disappointed in Varner’s actions, Smith says he was encouraged by the outraged response from the other contestants:
“Trans people are a highly vulnerable population. We make easy targets. We’re attacked a lot and I expected a lot more from Varner,” said Smith.
“But I think it’s so great that you see his hateful tactics rebuffed with such amazing love and from such a diverse group that responds to him.”
Like Varner, society as a whole has a long way to go in terms of helping trans people to feel safe and accepted.
But with people like Smith advancing the cause, we’ll hopefully get there someday.