Author talks on gender identity, acceptance

‘Get-out-of-hell-free cards' were distributed to students Nov. 3 as transsexual trailblazer, author and playwright, Kate Bornstein, asked the audience to pledge to live their lives freely.

 "I'll do your time for you," Bornstein said.

The lecture was part of a series presented by the Greater Philadelphia Women's Studies Consortium presented in Wolf Hall on Nov. 3.

Jessica Schiffman, assistant director of the university's women's studies program, said Bornstein came to address the issues of gender sexuality, which women's studies embrace as part of its academic curriculum.

Bornstein spoke on the issue of identity and how she believes the American culture  facilitates hate. She was born a biological male, but never felt comfortable with the restraints of the word "gender." Despite undergoing sexual reassignment surgery, she still faces the question of what her gender identity is today.

"We live in a bully culture, a culture of either-or," Bornstein said. "Black or white, male or female, good or evil, and we live with an oppressive government that asks us, ‘Are you with us or are you against us'?"

Her most recent book, "Hello, Cruel World: 101 Alternatives to Suicide for Teens, Freaks, and Other Outlaws," was written for  a group which Bornstein considers herself a part of. She said the book was written as a survival guide for people who are living as neither-nor, and who are faced with a life challenge of calling themselves neither-nor to all of American culture's oppression.

"The issues of gender, sexual orientation, and cultural bullying are prevalent throughout our society, and UD is no exception," said  senior Daniel Cole, the public relations chair of the university group Haven.

Unlike other social movements such as women's rights and racial equality, the gay rights movement has experienced tougher discrimination, Schiffman said.

 "The kind of resistance that attaches to the LGBT community is different in character and the moral condemnation that some people direct at the community is something unique," she said.

Cole said the cultural bullying on campus, regardless of whether it is active or passive, has resulted in changed relationship dynamics between LGBT couples.

 "For the most part, homosexual couples on our campus will not even hold hands, let alone hug or kiss in public, simply because they are afraid," he said.

Sophomore Hailey Weiner attended the lecture for her women's studies class.

"I think our generation is changing the current culture concerning sexuality," Weiner said. "I don't think the government is changing, but I can see a mental shift in my friends."

Bornstein does not believe the LGBT community movement is headed in the right direction.

"They spend too much time and resources on marriage and rights for people who already have a decent way of life," she said. "There is no triage being done. Millions are being spent on gay marriage."

While Bornstein may not believe change is headed in the right direction on a broad scale, the university has recently added a minor in sexuality and gender studies, and according to Schiffman, the courses for the minor are filling up.

Cole said Haven has been working with an allies program created by the newly revitalized LGBT community office. They are taking steps towards creating a more welcoming environment for transgender community members by working on the creation of many unisex bathrooms across campus. The ongoing work includes redefining the university's non-discrimination policies to include the entire gender spectrum.

"An important piece of progress yet to be made for these communities is the establishment of gender-neutral housing, where all can feel safe and comfortable, free of the environment of cultural bullying discussed by Bornstein," Cole said.

Bornstein ended her lecture with what she considers her most important message.

"Do whatever it takes to make your life more worth living — anything, anything at all," she said. "One rule you've got to follow to make your life more worth living — don't be mean. I am giving you blanket permission to do unmoral, unethical things, as long as you are not mean."