Couldn't find stronger icon than Bruce Jenner, transgender activist says

BruceJenneris quickly becoming an iconnot just in sport,but in thetransgendercommunity, and a Winnipeg activist says he can't think of anyone better suited to fill that role.

Ro Walker, atransgender man and hip-hop artist, said it is great that Jennerthe 1976 U.S. Olympic decathlon championwho has beenbetter known in recent years as part of television's omnipresent Kardashian familycan serve as a role model and activist, especially to a generation that might be less comfortable with it.

"An Olympian, a great icon, really, in America and for my parents' generation to relate to," Walker said on CBC'sUp to Speed onMonday.

Walker added that howJenner's children react could also set the trend for how people think about transgender transitions.

In a sit-down interview with ABC'sDiane Sawyer on Friday, Jenner opened up about hisgender identity, saying, "For all intents and purposes, I am a woman."

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"I am me and I am a person," he said in the interview, although Jennerprefersto stick to male pronouns for the time being.

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At 65,Jenner's gender identity has been subject to a great deal of speculation over the past months.

While Walker is clear that he thinks the invasion of privacyis reprehensible, he is happy to seeit has started a more global conversation.

"It doesn't really matter who you are or what your gender is, you can still kick ass. And that really resounded with me because we come from all walks of life, just like everyone else,"Walker said.

"Trans people, maybe the only thing we have in common is our gender identity or our transition, so I just think it's really great to see a popculture icon really coming through from the community and sharing their truth."

On a more personal note, Walker said he is particularly appreciative of how accepting Kanye West has been of Jenner.

"I'm a local Winnipeg boy,but I'm also a hip-hop artist here, so I'm trying to break down those borders as well," he said.

Journey between genders

9 years ago

Duration 5:03

Bruce Jenner has come out as transgender. We look back on the history of the transgender movement and at what's happening today.

Walker said he feels more acceptedthan beforenow that he is further along in his transition, withmore than three years onhormonesand having undergone top surgery, but there's still a great deal of room for improvement for society-wide acceptance.

"What I'm doing is going to make a difference," Jenner said in Friday'sinterview,"and we're going to change the world."

Walker agrees:"I couldn't think of a stronger icon," he said."I'm team Bruce all the way."