Caitlyn Jenner and Donald Trump’s on again, off again relationship – USA TODAY

Caitlyn Jenner (front) arrives for the Candlelight Dinner at Union Station in honor of President-elect Donald J. Trump, one day before Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States.(Photo: ERIK S. LESSER, EPA)

Caitlyn Jenner has a growing voice in the transgender community, but it also is one that is misconstrued at times.

Part of the reason for that, Jenner concedes, could be based on her choice for president in November. Jenner, a Republican her entire life, spoke to President Trump on the campaign trail and says she felt assured he would protect the LGBT community as he promised at the Republican National Convention.

Listen, I understand the Democratic party is better on all LGBT issues, Im not an idiot, Jenner says.

For me, philosophically, Im on the Republican side. I have conservative views. But Im also trans. I would much rather convince Republicans to do better with (LGBT) issues than to try to convince Democrats to lower taxes and have less regulations and less government. I work hard, mostly behind the scenes, to change (Republicans) views. When I sit down with Republican senators, theyll tell me theyve never met a trans person before and theyll mention their faith. I explain how faith has played a big part in what I have done and am doing right now. Just sitting at the table with someone, that can change peoples minds.

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Jenner, who attended the Presidential Inauguration in January, says she expected Trump to reinforce the federal protection guidelines for transgender youth set in place by the Obama administration. Before Trump took office, a U.S. District Court judge blocked the Obama-scripted rules allowing transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms based on their gender identity. The Trump administration removed the guidelines, preferring to allow individual states to create the policy a decision Jenner describes as a crushing blow for the community shes fighting for.

When (Trump) pulled back on the Title IX (guidelines), it kind of killed It destroyed me, Jenner says. This of all cases is when we need (the government) to step in. The bottom line is bullying in schools is going to be worse, and then theres already bullying online where theres no protection, no escape. When you take away protection in schools, to be honest with you, it is devastating to these kids. These politicians say it is to protect their children in bathrooms. But young peoplewilldie. And they are transgender. Suicide rates will go up. What if thats your kid? The federal government is basically saying, you dont really exist.

I was outspoken when Trump did that. And I should be.

Jenner, right, speaks at an American Unity Fund brunch at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland on July 20, 2016, on the sidelines of the Republican National Convention.(Photo: Josh Lederman, AP)

Jenner, who has been fighting for transgender rights for the past two years since her own coming out, lived her life for 65 years as Bruce Jenner once the epitome of masculinity after winning the 1976 Olympic decathlongold medal. Now as a woman and member of an often-stigmatized minority group,Jenner says she wants to meet with Trump as soon as possible to help lift the curtain she believes is over his eyes.

I would try to enlighten President Trump or anyone about transgender rights that these are real issues because these are real people suffering, Jenner says. The President and so many people out there havent taken the time to meet or get to know a transgender person. They dont know the community. Its affecting so many people beneath everything.

I didnt know any transgender people before I came out, because I was afraid. I want to tell people, dont be afraid of trans people, show a little love, hear our stories. You hear people say, but its biology. Thats right. I didnt ask to be this way. Its just the way I am.

Jenners memoiropens with a quote from Milton Diamond that reads, Biology loves variation. Biology loves differences. Society hates it.

This is not an issue where you take two aspirin and wake up the next morning and itll go away, she says. No, this feeling lasts your ENTIRE LIFE. The question isnt whether itll go away, but how you choose to deal with it.

Jenner says she plans to speak this month about LGBT issues at the College Republican National Committee Convention in Washington D.C., noting that its up to the next generation to change the agenda of the Trump administration and fellow elder Republicans.

I think the best thing the Republican party can do is embrace peoples differences, Jenner says. I think it could do wonders. Itll take a couple generations to change peoples thinking, but the perception that Republicans are rich, white, evangelical Christians who are anti-LGBT could be changed. If they do it over 10-20 years, you can turn that around. You can do that with legislation, on the books, you can turn around the next generation so people dont look at the party that way that it doesnt promote (diversity).

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Caitlyn Jenner and Donald Trump's on again, off again relationship - USA TODAY