

As a member of the LGBTQ community, Raven-Symone, 29, has the utmost respect for Caitlyn Jenner, 65. However, The View guest host isn’t too keen on how fast Caitlyn is moving as an advocate for the community and thinks that Cait should slow it down a notch!
Ever since Caitlyn publicly opened up about her struggle with gender identity, the reality star has made it her mission to help those who are transgender. However, there are some people, like Raven, who don’t agree with the pace Caitlyn is doing things. “I think it’s wonderful, and yes, it needs a light being shined on it,” Raven expressed on the July 27 episode of The View. “When I came out, I didn’t go and go hardcore and be like, ‘I’m going to save the world for LGBT…’ You’ve got to learn it. You’ve got to learn it first, and she’s not, really.” Rosie Perez, 50, rebutted with the possibility of Caitlyn waiting for the perfect moment to become a voice for the LGBTQ community.
The former child star somewhat agreed with Rosie’s point, but she still thought everything was happening too quickly. “Well, I think you can be strategic before you come out as well,” Raven responded to Rosie’s comment. “Before [I came out], I was definitely repping the community, even when I wasn’t saying this is what I was. And I’m not faulting [Caitlyn], because yes, we need [her]. It’s too fast, too soon.” Raven even said she doesn’t consider herself as an activist. “I can’t be,” Raven said. “I learned from the real gay rights activists. I can only do what I can.” Doing what you can for the community still counts as being an advocate, right?
Despite what Raven’s opinions are on how quickly Caitlyn is moving towards being an advocate for the LGBTQ community, the former Olympian is still using her platform to help others. In her blog for WhoSay, Caitlyn published a post on July 27 highlighting a big issue — the suicide rate amongst the transgender community, more specifically the youth. “A recent study of nearly 100 transgender youth, ages 12 to 24, found that 51% reported thinking about suicide, while 30% had attempted it at least once in their lives,” she quotes statistics in her blog. Caitlyn may be moving quickly as an advocate, but she’s trying her best to help others by using the platform she has.
What do you think, HollywoodLifers? Do you agree with Raven after she said Caitlyn is moving too fast as an advocate?
— Michelle Phi
Follow @_MichellePhi