Patricia Arquette has praised Bruce Jenner's bravery following reports that the former Olympic athlete is transitioning to become a woman. The Boyhood actress was speaking from experience because she has a transgender sister named Alexis.
The Arquette siblings, David, Rosanna, Alexis, Richmond, Patricia in 2014
"I feel like Alexis, my sister, has taught me so much about love and acceptance," said the Oscar-nominated star. "It's a very difficult thing to be transgender, especially 20 years ago when Alexis started... You have to be so brave to live this truth of who you are." Alexis, originally born Robert, is one of four siblings that Patricia has. Speaking on US TV, the actress said the reality star's journey would help young people struggling with similar issues. "If Ms Jenner is transitioning, I give all my support to her and love and appreciate everything she has given to America and her bravery, because she is fighting a fight for a lot of kids that are being kicked out of their own homes – society turns their back on these kids. It's really brutal."
Rosanna, Alexis and Patricia Arquette
She told chat show host Meredith Vieira about how she supported Alexis, also an actress, in her transition after the siblings lost both their parents. "I didn't exactly understand it. But our father had died, our mother had died. I'd lost two people I loved." "And we all come into this life in a different package – a baby package. We get older, we become an old person package. If you're male or female, at the end I didn't care. I had people I loved who died. "I said, 'I don’t care what package you’re comfortable in, I love and accept you. I am glad you are here on earth. I want to be with you, spend time with you.' It doesn't matter."
As well as Patricia's words, Keeping Up with the Kardashians star Bruce has also received support from his mother, who said they recently had a long conversation about what he is going through. Meanwhile, his famous daughters and stepdaughters published a picture of themselves surrounding Bruce, as a sign of their love and backing.
Bruce Jenner's family have also given the Olympic champion their backing
Reality TV queen Kim Kardashian said: "I think Bruce is very happy, the happiest I've ever seen him." She continued: "Of course we support Bruce 100 percent. He's our dad so we support him no matter what, and I think when the time is right, he'll talk about whatever he wants to talk about."