One of Bruce Jenner's ex-wives Linda Thompson revealed that she knew about the former athlete's gender preference since the 80s. Thompson, a songwriter and former actress, showed her support to Jenner in a blog after the latter's interview with Diane Sawyer on Friday wherein he confessed about being a transgender woman.
MESSAGE OF SUPPORT
In her blog published by an online news website, Linda Thompson said she respected Bruce Jenner that she gave him the right to speak up on the matter before revealing her side. She said she had to keep the secret from their sons Brandon and Brody until they were 31 and 29, old enough to understand about gender issues. Thomspon admitted there were times Bruce no longer visited his sons when he got married to Kris Jenner. Despite this, the family has forgiven Bruce. Thompson said she feels relieved after knowing that Bruce has finally come out. She also called for gender equality. She hopes Bruce will not just be remembered as an athlete but as a "pioneer and trailblazer for the civil rights of the transgender community".
JOURNEY AS A WOMAN
Titled How living with and Loving Bruce Jenner changed my life forever, the blog also talked about how she met and fall in love with the former Olympian. Bruce was at that time separated from his first wife Chrystie Crownover whom he had 2 kids. It was in 1985 when she learned from Bruce that he was a woman inside. Bruce Jenner started taking female hormones which made him grow breasts. He also had his hair removed in his face and chest. Bruce even planned on getting a transformation in Denmark and introducing himself as Aunt Heather to their two sons when he gets back.
After 6 months of therapy to a specialist for gender dysphoria, they separated because Linda could not accept that she was married to a woman. Worried that Bruce might commit suicide as the therapist warned of transgenders, she stayed strong. Thompson had to cover up for Bruce. There was this one time when her boys told her about seeing their dad with breasts.
Bruce on the other hand, dated other women despite starting to be a woman. At that time, he already had his Adam's apple trimmed and had his nose done. Thompson said that if he knew about Bruce's gender preference earlier, he would not have married him. She however is still thankful to have met Bruce.
"But looking back, I'm so grateful to God, the universe, and Bruce that I didn't know, and that Bruce played the role in my life that he did... I would never have experienced the joy, the honor, the privilege of being the mother of the two most precious gifts I have ever known, Brandon and Brody. As life has a way of unfolding as it is meant to, I have learned to trust life," she wrote.
TRANSGENDER WOMAN
Just last Friday, Bruce Jenner admitted in an interview with Diane Sawyer that he is a woman. Bruce said that although others see him as an athletic man, his heart, soul and everything that he does is different, a report said.
Bruce Jenner also explained that although he was a transgender woman, he was never attracted to men, saying sexuality was different from his personality. He clarified he was not gay, said a source.
Linda Thompson hopes that her side would be an eye opener not just on Bruce Jenner as a transgender woman. She hopes it would give peace to others who are experiencing the same but are afraid of being judged for being different.
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