Video: Caitlyn Jenner Faces Chicago Protesters Who Called Her 'An Insult To Trans People'

By Kate Shepherd in News on Nov 13, 2015 8:11PM

Caitlyn Jenner speaks at 7th annual Chicago House Speaker Series luncheon, photo by Braden Nesin / Chicagoist

A handful of transgender protestors confronted Caitlyn Jenner following her keynote address at the Chicago House's annual speaker series Thursday.

Jenner, who said during her speech that no one has made a negative comment to her face since her transition, heard "you are an insult to trans people, you are an insult to women," as she exited the Hilton Chicago in the South Loop. She briefly engaged one woman and tried to diffuse the situation before her security escorted her away, as seen in the video below:

Cameras for her E! reality show "I Am Cait" were rolling during the confrontation which production did not expect to happen and was not staged, a production source told Entertainment Tonight.

The protestors organized over social media and called the demonstration, "#IAintCait: Protest Caitlyn Jenner's "Miss Representation" Luncheon!" The organizers don't believe that Jenner represents the average transgender person because of her wealth, privilege and past comments about social service programs, they wrote in a post:

"Chicago House, a non-profit who claims to support those of us in the LGBTQ community who experience marginalization, homelessness, and economic exploitation, is holding a fundraiser this Thursday. The fundraiser, of course, has a keynote speaker. A trans keynote speaker! Who, you may ask, did they select to speak on the issues facing trans people and especially trans women in our city? Caitlyn Jenner. Caitlyn Jenner, who lives in a mansion and has a net worth of millions of dollars, while the average trans person has a 41 percent chance of experienceing homelesness and a nearly 50 percent chance of living off less than $10k per year. Caitlyn Jenner, who said in a segment on her hit new reality TV series I Am Cait, regarding people who rely on social services to get by: "You don't want people to get totally dependent on it. That's when they get into trouble. 'Why should I work? You know, I've got a few bucks, I've got my room paid for."

It's a stark contrast to the overwhelmingly positive reception Jenner got inside Chicago House's luncheon. The audience of more than 1,000 people responded to the high points of her story with cheers and laughs. During her speech, she said that her story doesn't reflect the struggles of most of the transgender community but she hopes her platform will help make gender issues normal.

Shortly before the luncheon ended, Chicago House CEO Rev. Stan Sloan acknowledged the protestors outside and told attendees not to engage with them.

The #IAintCait message, which has received tons of national and international publicity since yesterday's speech, has gotten support and criticism on social media: