Dear Editor,

I’d first off like to thank you for bringing up the issue of trans-inclusion on our campus. Many people don’t realize how privileged they are to be able to use a restroom in which they feel safe, let alone how privileged they are to feel comfortable in their own skin.

However, the lackadaisical attitude in which you defined and discussed trans students on campus was incredibly offensive.

“Sometimes we can tell a person is transgender, and sometimes we cannot” is never a true statement. You can never tell, just by looking at a person, how they identify. Unless someone has personally told you that they are trans or they are publicly out, it is never right to assume their identity.

“So, yeah, there are people on this campus that are totally transgender, and we do not even realize it.” “So, yeah?” Transmen and transwomen work incredibly hard on a daily basis to feel comfortable in their own skin. This is not a “so, yeah” moment.

Now, it would be unfair of me to assume that you do not know any trans individuals. My question is why you did not include those folks’ opinions in this first article? Yes, I see there will be more of this series, but the first impression is vital and the impression has not been good. Why were none of their opinions included? Why were no citations in place for the claim “legally, we are not allowed use the bathroom of the opposite sex?” Why not focus on the overall issue of trans-inclusion?

Again, thank you for opening up the conversation on this campus. Please be more mindful of how you present information and let the people you define in your article speak for themselves.

Megan Stanley
Graduate student
College Student Personnel Administration