April Ashley: Caitlyn Jenner chose a ‘terrible’ name
Transgender pioneer April Ashley has joked that Caitlyn Jenner has chosen a “terrible” name.
The 80-year-old former model, who made history when she was outed as trans by the Sunday People in 1961, spoke about Jenner’s transition on Loose Women.
She joked: “I think it’s rather tragic in a way. Terrible name, Caitlyn, isn’t it? Why on earth did she choose that?”
The campaigner, who received an MBE in 2012 for her work on trans equality, also warned Jenner against exploiting her transition for commercial success.
Jenner is already filming for a documentary series on E!, called I Am Cait, after selling exclusives on her transition to ABC News and Vanity Fair.
Ms Ashley said: “The only thing that worries me about Caitlyn, is not just the name, it’s the idea that there’s going to be a commercial thing about it.
“The Kardashians, from what I’ve seen… are rather vulgar. I don’t know, but I do wish her the best of luck.”
Of her own work, she said: “I write to people all the time, I think that’s why I got an MBE… I’ve written to thousands of [trans] people over the years.
“It’s a terrible thing to go through, any kind of deformity, people feeling so isolated they don’t know who to turn to.
“The advice I always give is I cannot help you, but I would be very kind both to yourself and to other people, be beautiful inside and that makes you beautiful outside, and be bloody brave.”
