Transgender
Forum
|
%expand(%include(D:\http/ads/ads0.html)) Wall Street Journal Cheapshots TGsBy Cindy Martin & Sallyanne OfnerBackgroundThe recent article by the Chronicle of Higher Education on TGs in academia generated an item in the Wall Street Journal that is highly critical - and worse - of transgenders. Here is a copy of the WSJ item and a response by Sallyanne Ofner that we felt was a responsible reaction to the item. We encourage you send a similiar note to the Journal.
"Transgendered Theorists" Short of the Beltway, there's probably no other place in the U.S. in which human nature reveals itself in the most nightmarish permutations than the college campus. And the perfect guide into the ever more surreally distorted landscape of learning is the amazingly straight-faced (can we still use that adjective or is it genderist or lookist?) weekly publication, the Chronicle of Higher Education. The latest issue addressed the often stressful but of course rich and rewarding lives of "transgendered scholars" on campus as they demand anti-bias protection and attention for their ideas. Not always easy,as the writer makes clear: "Before he delivers a lecture on gender identity to his philosophy class this semester, Michael A. Gilmore must decide what to wear. Most likely he will put on a knee-length skirt, a long-sleeved blouse, and low pumps." Here is Ms. Ofner's reply:
Mr. Robert L. Bartley, Editor
Dear Mr. Bartley, I note your editorialist in today's Journal has taken to task a very difficult matter addressed by the Chronicle of Higher Education. Certainly, many of the cultural subjects often addressed by academics these days seem a bit less than serious, but may I suggest that the topic of this article was not. As a transsexual woman in the business world, a part time academic and friend of others, might I suggest that the humor and disgust exhibited by your writer may be misdirected. Being transgendered is not a question of lifestyle choice nor avocation but of having been born with the self identity of one from the opposite sex as recorded at birth. Some research shows a possible physical cause of this condition being related to brain structures in one so afflicted which may have been brought about in-utero. The article in question was written following an incident involving Wynd D. Harris, a professor of marketing and international business at Quinnipiac College, was threatened with termination of her job when, prior to her having had genital reassignment surgery, she attempted to work in her correct gender presentation. Others, particularly those without tenure, have seen their positions terminated, their careers in ruin and have been unable to find other work in any capacity. Not all have had the privilege of university tenure. The matter is not one to be simply dismissed out of hand. Important and valued human resources are wasted. Perhaps you would be interested in investigating this matter further. I note that the Journal has done an exemplary job of exposing the ignorance of false accusation by prosecutors in child abuse. Perhaps you would provide the same courtesy to those who are or can be contributors to society rather than belittling a belated recognition of some of those who have, with great difficulty overcome a very serious handicap.
Sallyanne Ofner
|
Back to
TGF's
Home Page
