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Caitlyn Jenner Pens New Essay: "We Have To Make Things Easier"

Last night was the second installment of Caitlyn Jenner's new docu-series, I Am Cait, which shifted the show's tone greatly from its getting-to-know-you premiere into discussing the real issues at hand, submerging Caitlyn into a world she knew little about and yet has been tasked with largely representing in the mainstream media.

Related: Caitlyn Jenner Shows Her Republican Side, Friends School Her, In “I Am Cait” Clip

Caitlyn was joined by six other trans women–artists, activists and community workers–including Zackary Drucker, Jen Richards, Drian Juarez, Jennifer Finney Boylan, Chandi Moore and Candis Cayne.

The episode centered strongly around Caitlyn's inability to connect with her peers.

"Many transgender men and women need social programs to survive and that's nothing to be ashamed of." #IAmCait https://t.co/ryCxCRsYK6

— I Am Cait (@IAmCait) July 31, 2015

“Living in the bubble is an impediment to understanding other people," said Ms. Boylan at one point directly to the camera. "If Cait’s going to be a spokesperson for our community, this is something she’s going to have to understand.”

To that end, Caitlyn has begun a weekly column for WhoSay in which she invites folks to ask her questions. Rather than answer them all herself, she defers to the talented experts at the Human Rights Campaign.

To those of you who have asked me for my opinion or expertise, I want to remind you that while I’ve know that I was trans since I was a small child, learning about the trans community is still very new to me and I don’t have all the answers.

That said, the one constant I’ve noticed is how incredibly difficult it is for transgender folks to transition and become their authentic selves and still be healthy and secure—emotionally, physically, financially…the list goes on and on.

A particularly interesting questions comes from a woman named April, who asks what can be done for people who want to transition but have no reasonable expectation of ever being able to fund it.

"Stay positive, " urges Alison Gill, Senior Legislative Counsel at the Human Rights Campaign.

Coverage for transition-related services for transgender people continues to expand across the country. More states are requiring that insurance providers offer transgender health care, and more businesses offer trans-inclusive benefits. This coverage will only increase as medical providers, insurance companies, and businesses continue to recognize that transition-related care is medically necessary for transgender people.

Check out HRC’s Corporate Equality Index to see which corporations offer inclusive benefits, and the Municipal Equality Index and State Equality Index, to see which cities and states have inclusive coverage for their employees.

Kudos to both Caitlyn and the HRC for their efforts.

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