Editor’s note: This letter was edited for formatting. It otherwise remains in the condition in which it was sent.
Knowles’ statements on transgenderism not only constitute hate speech; they also demonstrate a profound ignorance of science. To counter his irresponsible and dangerous rhetoric, this should be pointed out. I heard some of his anti-trans remarks at the Conservative PAC — “transgenderism is false,” “a man cannot change into a woman.” He simply doesn’t know what he’s talking about. He knows nothing about the biology of sexuality, and in that ignorance he represents a growing number of influential politicians. We as a university, a center of higher learning, should counter such ignorance with rational statements of science-supported fact. This is a very foundational reason for our existence.
Respectfully,
Phillips Stevens, Jr., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Anthropology Emeritus
University at Buffalo, SUNY