Harvard University predictably hired its first permanent director of bisexual, gay, lesbian, transgender, and queer student life. The only surprise I had was that this was the first one.
Van Bailey, the assistant director for education at the University of California, San Diego, will assume the position on July 16.
The article in the Crimson is predictable in every way but then comes the correction which is just too perfect. Here it is:
CORRECTION: July 3
An earlier version of this article used the pronoun “she” to refer to Vanidy “Van” Bailey, the newly appointed director of bisexual, gay, lesbian, transgender, and queer student life. In fact, Bailey prefers not to be referred to by any gendered pronoun.
How awesome is that?
July 9, 2012 at 8:04 pm
Okay, did he/she/it provide an alternative, or are we just supposed to stumble through any formal introductions? And how is it that someone assumes the right to correct everybody in sight for using a common social convention?
July 9, 2012 at 9:19 pm
I the reference to he/she/ti "assuming the position"…pun intended???
July 9, 2012 at 9:20 pm
"it" (I really should check my typing before hitting 'send') oops : p
July 9, 2012 at 10:00 pm
David, presumably such a free thinking paragon of equality would likewise shun the use of an honorific.
July 9, 2012 at 11:13 pm
"In fact, Bailey prefers not to be referred to by any gendered pronoun." It looks like Harvard could use a few more philologists in place of such faculty. A non-gendered pronoun does not exist.
July 9, 2012 at 11:57 pm
I believe "comrade" is the preferred term.
July 10, 2012 at 3:04 am
I'm all for referring to the staff member as "he/she/it". Because if you say it too fast, it sounds like "He's sheeeit." 😀
July 10, 2012 at 3:08 am
This is the stunning result of gender neutral thinking. perhaps He/she/it could just choose a symbol like Prince did. then the symbol could be pronounced: "HESHEEIT". That covers the base, right?
July 10, 2012 at 11:38 am
I propose that the new non-gendered pronoun should be "idiot." Thus, "This is Van Bailey. Idiot doesn't want to be categorized by idiot's x chromosome."
July 10, 2012 at 5:32 pm
"How awesome is that?"
Almost as awesome as the name: Vanidy Van Bailey! Seriously?
Other than that I can only offer the usual: I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW MUCH THERAPY SOME PEOPLE NEED!
July 11, 2012 at 2:34 am
There are no non-gendered pronouns in any Indo-European or Uralic languages—the former are usually masculine-feminine-(sometimes) neuter, and the latter (and some Indic languages) animate-inanimate. Does Van Bailey refuse to be spoken of in any language but Japanese (where the pronouns mean "this one, that one, that one over yonder")?
July 11, 2012 at 8:05 pm
"It" works for me.