Jenner's transition 'encourages positive social change'

Caitlyn Jenner debuts on the cover of Vanity Fair. Photo / Annie Leibovitz

Caitlyn Jenner's transition is receiving an unprecedented amount of media coverage, but for some in the transgender community her story is not recognisable.

Lynda Whitehead, national president of Agender, said for the average trans-person in New Zealand, Jenner's life would not in any way mirror their own.

"Personally I feel that what Ms Jenner's reality is and what our reality is are two totally different things.

"The only thing that I can see that's going to be any good to come out of this, is that it's created a lot of awareness for transitioners and trans-people," she said.

"Which is what we've been wanting for a long long time."

Ms Whitehead said most trans-people in New Zealand struggled financially in a way that Jenner, a former Olympian athlete and reality television star, did not.

"The reality for us is trans-people who can't get work, can't save money for an operation, can't get jobs."

Agender is a non-profit an organisation that supports trangendered people and their families in New Zealand.

Georgina Beyer, the world's first openly transgender mayor, has called Caitlyn Jenner "brave" for transitioning publicly, and hopes the reality television star and former Olympian will use her fame to help others.

"She's making a brave and courageous transition in the glare of the public eye and that's not an easy thing to do," said Ms Beyer.

"My only concern is that I hope it doesn't turn into a circus for her and she is responsible in the way she presents herself to the world."

Jenner's story was just one, and was unlike many other trans-people's, said Ms Beyer.

"We need to remember for a minute that for the vast majority of transgender people around the world, we do not have the advantages she does.

"We're not all extraordinarily wealthy and we're not all extraordinarily famous."

Ms Beyer said she hoped Jenner would assist other trans-people in future, and suggested the star could set up a foundation "in support of transgender people and assist them in their transitions.

"That would be a wonderful gesture."

The high-profile of Jenner's story could result in a more open-minded public, Ms Beyer said.

"I think it encourages continued positive social change. We are far from having got there yet, as far as the transgender community is concerned."