Really? I was sorta impressed with how the media handled it. I rarely watch cable news, but the clips I've seen online seemed pretty supportive. Of course, there were a few jerks, but even Fox News seemed fairly tolerant.

I don't know where I read it, but a comment on reddit explained why there's been so much "hype" and media attention about it.

Caitlyn Jenner, before her transition, used to be the epitome of masculinity. Gold medal in the decathlon, defeater of Russian athletes during the height of the Cold War, and even the unofficial "world's greatest athlete." (The wiki article goes a little more in depth.) But basically, Jenner was the person that all the men wanted to be, and all the woman wanted to date.

America held Jenner up as a hero, a prominent masculine hero. Her transition is a big deal, especially to people who grew up in the 70s. It's kind of a perception shift, you know? Until you have a person to connect an issue to, it's unimportant and "strange." Caitlyn Jenner, for many, is that person. That's why the media cares, and that's why it's a pretty big step for the Trans community.

(This is similar to the shift from American society viewing gay and lesbian people as creeps and molesters to regular citizens. It's harder to think of gay/lesbian people as "abominations" or whatever when they're your neighbors who volunteer at animal shelters. That's why coming out is considered a big deal. It makes it personal.)

Well, that's my take on it, at least. Again, I don't watch cable news, so I don't know how much coverage the issue is given on TV. But in my opinion, it's a very good thing.