Reader Responses to Breaking Down the Binary

I was struck by Michael D. Woods’s dismissive tone (“What Do You Think?,” September/October; in response to “Breaking Down the Binary,” July/August). Decrying the dedication of eight precious pages to the transgender experience because the topic involves .5 percent of the population demonstrates a lack of appreciation of the math–that’s more than 37 million humans worldwide. As for a hidden message on Ms. Bornstein’s jacket, J. Richard Lownds’s protesting of the innocuous induces me to double my contribution to BAM in his name.

We’re truly sorry for any offense caused by our July/August cover, regarding the words on the jacket worn by Kate Bornstein ’69. The jacket’s slogans, pocket watches, tea cup, and toadstool are references to Lewis Carroll’s book Alice In Wonderland. For more, we checked in with Bornstein: “It was hand painted by Tom Tom, a well known designer,” she says. “Great big white rabbit on the back.”

I wish K. Bornstein ’69 well. I also admire her empathy for marginalized people, including—my own bias—those who never attended an Ivy. But I question the necessity of devoting eight pages plus cover to a subject that involves perhaps 0.5 percent of the population.

Thank you so much for the refreshing conversation between Kate Bornstein and Dréya St. Clair. I am a (mostly) cisgender female inspired by discussions about the irrelevance and oppression of gender. The 30-somethings gave us same-sex marriage. I hope the teens and 20-somethings will make us all understand that gender norms are a downright bore.

It was with dismay, disgust and sadness that I viewed the BAM’s July/August cover: a “trans icon” wearing a jacket emblazoned “Eat Me.” Is this the image you wish to project of Brown? I am proud of Brown’s academic progress. What is missing are values: protecting free speech, respecting the flag and differing viewpoints, ROTC on campus. If the intent was to infuriate and alienate conservative alumni, you have been successful. No further contributions!

God bless Ms. Bornstein (“Breaking Down the Binary,” July/August), but her jacket is tasteless. And I would like to say inappropriate, but apparently BAM doesn’t think so. In the current climate, the left feels free to challenge tastes and mores; if you disagree, you can be labeled a hater. I don’t hate anyone for wearing a jacket, but tasteless it is.