Dear Editor,

I would like to comment on your recent Op-Ed, Curbing Transphobic Humor in Stanford Performances by Janani Balasubramanian ’12. Encouraging public acceptance of transpeople is a laudable goal. However, Balasubramanian implies that tolerance for sexual minorities is more important than freedom of expression, a stance that needs to be questioned.

Balasubramanian argues that transphobic remarks made in public should not be tolerated, noting “We would not tolerate outwardly racist, homophobic, or sexist remarks in our performances.” Perhaps I’m splitting hairs, but I believe there is a crucial distinction to be made between speaking out against bigotry and refusing to tolerate it. The first is courageous and quite necessary; the second smacks of authoritarianism.

There is a dangerous sense on this campus that if something is offensive, it should not be said. Follow this to its conclusion and one sees how political correctness turns into censorship. Though Balasubramanian’s goals are worthy, I disagree with the means she advocates for achieving them. Calling for those who disagree with you to be silenced is a dangerous precedent.

Yours,

Ben Casement Stoll ’10