CAITLYN JENNER

The Landmark

West Los Angeles, CA

January 5, 2016

Photo credit: Caitlyn Jenner

My friend and I were meeting at the theater to see the new Tarantino movie. On my way up from the parking garage, I rode the elevator with two women. Casually one of them asked if I knew what floor the premiere was on. Hummmm? No, but I'd like to.

I often go to premieres at this theater but tonight I was not invited. Does that matter? Not really. “Which premiere is that?” I asked as if I knew of a couple scheduled for this evening. Innocently, she gave up the goods: “The one with Caitlyn Jenner.”

Just then her question was answered as the elevator doors opened to a lobby full of tall people wearing dresses who had broad shoulders and big hands. I don't know much about the LGB and especially T community any more than the average Joe(Anne) who makes a point of it to keep up with the Kardashians, but I'm guessing most of these people were here for the aforementioned premiere—the movie, Tangerine.

I found my friend and, armed with new information, I asked what she knew about this Caitlyn Jenner premiere. “Nothing,” she said, but she encouraged me to go work my magic and see if I can get us in.

You don’t have to tell me twice. Off I went to score some tickets.

After a couple of minutes in line, I heard a voice call, “I can help the next person.” I walked forward to the table. With a pen perched in her hand, she asked my last name. (If we were on the list...) "It would be under Costell or Somsen." She looked. I waited.

Then, after flipping back and forth through the papers a few times, she said, “Well, let's just say that it's here and I've crossed it off.” She looked up at me and held out two tickets. “Theater eight. Upstairs.” She smiled and said, “This will just be between us.” I smiled. Okay by me, Sister! I got my friend and we headed upstairs. “How'd you do that?” she asked. “Magic," I said. Then I smiled and a sparkle of light twirled off my teeth.

We chose seats just behind the reserved seats and waited about an hour before the VIPs arrived. Then, finally, there she was.

This is a good one; technically another woman but one with the social strength and confidence of a man. The situational expectations were confused in this case.

I watched her mingle with people who were elated to have her join their community, then she headed up the stairs to a landing. I went down a couple of steps to meet her.

Unlike most famous women I've encountered, Caitlyn wasn't protected by friends or handlers. I touched her arm for a little too long and she turned to look at me. I said, "Hi." She smiled. "Hi," she said. So self-assured with amazingly beautiful skin. She was high on life and that altitude was working wonders on her complexion.

I was feeling femininely inferior to a six foot, two inches tall, 66-year old, post-op transgender female. Something about that just didn't seem right.

She checked me out and I began, "This is a little weird but..." Then she saw my camera. “Oh, okay. Let’s do this.” She spoke confidently, took initiative, and quickly wrapped her strong, Olympian arm around my shoulders. Slightly caught off guard, and with no time to explain, I said, “Okay, but you have to push the button.” She didn’t care.

Camera in hand, she prepped to take the first picture then said, “But babe, we need better lighting.” She spun me around and tried again.

“If anyone knows how to take a selfie…” I said. She laughed, “Yeah, right. With my family!?!!” Click, click, click, click.

Admirers were lining up to approach her so the pressure was on. We smiled our goodbyes, then she handed my camera back and kept moving.

That was awesome. Nicely done, Jenner. Thank you!

Photo burst credit: Caitlyn Jenner