Public figures are frequently at the center of unexpected controversies in the ever changing conversation of gender identity and societal norms. Caitlyn Jenner, a transgender advocate and former Olympic athlete, has become a hot topic recently.
The debate this time is over a Texas restaurant’s restroom signage. Taking notice of the unconventional and polarizing way that one restaurant, Dodie’s Place Cajun Bar & Grill in Allen, Texas, labels its restroom doors was just one of the interesting happenings.
In the days when Bruce Jenner was still a man, the restaurant put an image of Jenner on the door of its men’s restroom. On the other side of the door, the women’s restroom was covered in Jenner’s iconic 2015 Vanity Fair cover, in which she first went public with Caitlyn’s transition.
The post accompanying the restroom signage, which was initially shared on the restaurant’s Facebook page in 2017, read: “Come meet our newest members of the Dodie’s crew, Caitlyn & Bruce!’ We serve an all-day stop-in for our weekly specials!”
While some patrons viewed the signage as a lighthearted joke, others criticized it for being insensitive and dismissive toward the transgender community. One social media commenter remarked, “That’s disgusting. I’d have to leave so I could use the restroom somewhere else.”
In response to the backlash, Dodie’s Place issued a statement saying they would like to clarify what their intentions are. “In no way were we intending to make fun of or offend anyone when we put the pictures of Bruce and Caitlyn on our bathroom doors,” the statement said.
The signage was added as a ‘humorous’ response to what the restaurant said was an overly politically correct culture. “It was just a lighthearted gesture to push back against the political correctness that has a stranglehold on this country right now.
But the explanation from the restaurant didn’t stop the criticism. The signs reinforced harmful stereotypes about gender identity, said advocates for transgender rights.
‘These signs draw upon dangerous myths and false stereotypes that suggest trans identity is somehow invalid,’ said MJ Okma, a GLAAD spokesperson. It showed that there are broader issues inherent in how we are meant to represent transgender people fairly and respectfully.
The matter reignited there, a larger discussion about the representation of transgender people in public spaces and the media. Such portrayals, even when meant as jokes, were often seen as perpetuating misunderstandings and stigma, many advocates said.
But while the discourse has been heated, Caitlyn Jenner herself is laughing at the controversy. Jenner shared her take on X (formerly Twitter) after the issue made its way back into the social media conversation.
She broke her silence and said of the image, “Funny as hell.” But her response was loved by supporters who admired her ability to laugh at the situation, even if it was threatening to divide.
Caitlyn laughing is fun, said one fan. ‘A person who can laugh at themselves is not a person without confidence,’ another added.
Jenner’s reaction reflects that very Jenner approach to dealing with fame. As the debate rages on, her light take on the topic has brought back to many the awesomeness of humor to help break tensions and accept one as they are.
