Caitlyn Jenner 's Republican political views have long jarred with members of the transgender community who couldn't understand her stance.
And now, the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star, 71, is being accused of growing transphobia across the United States after revealing that she's running for governor of California.
While many people in the community hoped that Caitlyn's move into politics would help bring transgender issues to the forefront, her I Am Cait co-star Jen Richards, who is also transgender, fears it could have a negative impact.
Jen, who was once friends with Caitlyn, told People : "With Caitlyn, in particular, she's indicative of the fact that just because you have a marginalized identity, just because you are part of that world in some way, shape or form, it doesn't mean you understand it."
Jen added: "I think I've kind of given up on her."
Caitlyn recently sparked backlash when she said that transgender females shouldn't be allowed to compete in girls' sports.
The former Olympic gold medalist, who won the decathlon at the 1976 games, told TMZ she was against the idea of biological boys who identity as transgender competing against biological girls in school.
She said: "It just isn’t fair, and we have to protect girls’ sports in our schools."
Writer Charlotte Clymer was among those to criticise Caitlyn's comments.
She tweeted: "Medical organizations, feminist organizations, and prominent cis women athletes, including Billie Jean King and Megan Rapinoe, have all spoken out against banning trans girls from sports.
"There is no evidence this is a problem anywhere. Caitlyn Jenner is dead wrong on this."
Star Trek's George Takei posted: "Caitlyn Jenner is no friend of the LGBTQ community. Don't call her an actvist [sic]. She's a menace."
Caitlyn later defended what she had said, posting: "I didn't expect to get asked this on my Saturday morning coffee run, but I'm clear about where I stand. It's an issue of fairness and we need to protect girls' sports in our schools."
She was backed up by former Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan, who tweeted: "Good for her. Courageous and correct. If anyone understands how unfair it is, then it's surely @Caitlyn_Jenner.
"Yet she will be new be destroyed by the trans lobby for stating the obvious."
The Mirror has contacted Caitlyn's representatives for comment.
