Ellen DeGeneres reacts to Caitlyn Jenner’s marriage stance
TV host was surprised by Jenner's comments outlining her previous opposition to same-sex marriage
Color Ellen DeGeneres thoroughly unimpressed with Caitlyn Jenner’s stance on same-sex marriage.
In an interview with the former Olympian and reality TV star, which aired Tuesday on Ellen, DeGeneres asked Jenner about her personal life, her struggle coming to terms with her gender identity and her political beliefs. In the course of the interview, Jenner revealed that she used to be opposed to marriage equality, taking DeGeneres by surprise. Noting that Jenner identifies as a conservative Republican, DeGeneres questioned whether there was a discrepancy between Jenner’s personal brand of activism and the policies that most Republicans embrace, noting that many would not be in favor of LGBT rights such as same-sex marriage.
“I have to admit, I remember 15 years ago, whatever it was, this whole gay marriage issue came up — at first, I was not for it,” Jenner said. “I thought, ‘I’m a traditionalist.’ I’m older than most people in the audience, you know? I kind of like tradition, and it’s always been a man and a woman. I’m thinking, ‘I don’t quite get it.’
“But as time has gone on, I think, like a lot of people on this issue, I have really changed my thinking here to, ‘I don’t ever want to stand in front of anybody’s happiness,'” Jenner continued. “That’s not my job, OK? If that word, ‘marriage,’ is really, really important to you, I can go with it.”
DeGeneres told Jenner, “It’s funny, ’cause you’re still kind of a little not on board with it.”
“No, I’m on board,” Jenner replied. “It is gonna be, pretty much, the law of the land. So I still feel like, I’m OK with it.”
On Tuesday, DeGeneres appeared on Howard Stern’s radio show to share insights from the Jenner interview, including Jenner’s ideas about same-sex marriage.
“She still had a judgment about gay marriage. … And I said, ‘You’re wanting people to understand and accept you. This is like, really confusing to people, and you still have a judgment about gay people and marriage,'” DeGeneres said in an excerpt from Stern’s show that has been posted to YouTube.
Stern called Jenner’s response “remarkable,” in that she expects people to be accepting of her gender identity, but has made a judgment about gay marriage. He also said it didn’t make sense that Jenner couldn’t understand the concept that gay people want to be treated fairly just like she does.
“I don’t really know her. And I’m trying to understand it, because I don’t fully understand it, either. But I also want everyone to be happy,” DeGeneres told Stern. “But I don’t fully understand all of that, but I want her to be happy. Which is what I want for her, for me.”
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
You must be logged in to post a comment.