Caitlyn Jenner to be given award alongside Trump aid Sean Spicer
Transgender rights advocate and former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner
Caitlin Jenner is to be honoured with a major award for her commitment to the state of Israel.
The transgender reality star will be given the Champion of Israel and LGBTQ Rights Award at the World Values Network’s (WVN) Champions of Jewish Values International Awards Gala.
Jenner, a prominent backer of US President Donald Trump, will share the night with fellow winner Sean Spicer, who served as White House Press Secretary in 2017.
Caitlyn Jenner (Getty)
Commending the TV star, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, known as ‘America’s Rabbi’, said: “Israel is a bastion of global human rights and a great light to the nations.
“But the Middle East is sadly a cesspit of human rights abuses, especially toward LGBTQ citizens who are routinely murdered, beheaded, and even hung from cranes.
“Caitlyn Jenner, a great friend of the Jewish people and Israel, is uniquely suited to highlight Israel’s incredible record on human rights and LGBTQ rights and protection to the LGBTQ citizens which is utterly unique and unprecedented in the Middle East.
Caitlyn Jenner (Getty)
“I believe her remarks will have a global impact, especially as we celebrate 70 years of Israel as the Middle East’s only democracy.”
Sean Spicer and Pentagon Spokesperson Dana White are also expected to be honoured at the New York gala.
Jenner was forced to turn down an award for transgender activism late last year over anger at her support for President Trump, who has rolled back rights for LGBT people.
The award was from St. John’s Well Child & Family Center, a network of community healthcare centres in Los Angeles.
Caitlyn Jenner (Getty)
Related: Caitlyn Jenner: I’m rich, white and privileged and make no apology
She was due to receive the honour for her support of their Transgender Health Program at their annual Eleganza ball, as part of St. John’s TransNation film festival.
However the choice was heavily criticised by LGBT activists, given her controversial support for a string of anti-LGBT politicians, including Ted Cruz and Trump.
Shortly before the ceremony she revoked her support for Trump, saying his attacks on trans people were a “disgrace,” but many considered the move too little.
(YouTube)
A petition, which demanded that Jenner not be given the award, was started by Ashlee Marie Preston on behalf of Trans Liberation Now, and received over 2000 signatures in just four days.
It argued that Jenner has hurt the LGBT community, including when she said trans people were provoking discrimination “by looking like a man in a dress,” and when she opposed same-sex marriage.
Caitlyn Jenner (Getty)
Related: Earlier this year Caitlyn Jenner was attacked as ‘a f***ing fraud’ for supporting Donald Trump by transgender activist
“We will not allow her to carry on as if she is the Christopher Columbus of Trans Identity or the Trans Christ and savior,” the petition said.
“We will NOT continue to allow her to pimp our narratives out for profit, and use us as social experiments that she can mold into an extension of the Kardashian brand.”
Jenner subsequently released a statement on her website saying she had decided to turn down the award in the “spirit of unity and love.”
Caitlyn Jenner (Getty)
“I understand that my presence is distracting from the real purpose of the event, which is to celebrate the important and life-saving work of St. John’s,” she said.
“Trans people understand what it’s like to be judged for who we are, and defined by a world that doesn’t understand us, so let’s present a united front in support of St. John’s Trans Health Program.”
