Students look beyond traditional gender identities

[Shana A]

Students look beyond traditional gender identities

After the ROTC debate thrust them into the spotlight, a glimpse into the lives of gender nonconforming students at Columbia.

By Katie Bentivoglio
Published April 6, 2011

http://www.columbiaspectator.com/2011/04/06/students-look-beyond-traditional-gender-identities

This is the first story in a series exploring the experience of gender non-conforming students at Columbia.

When asked to self-identify, Gavin McGown, CC '13, hesitates for a moment, and then looks up with a smile.

"How I dress and how I identify and what I do borrows very much from both male and female roles. I describe it as a mix of Don Draper and Auntie Mame," McGown said, referencing the free-spirited, feminine aunt from the 1950s movie.

"It's a way for me to express my discomfort with identifying in one or another way in terms of set gender roles."