Editor’s Note
What is gender? It is the personal sexual identity you give to yourself. It has nothing to do with your
physical sex. Some people biologically are boys and feel like girls or the other way round. Some feel that
they are none of these two genders or feel that they are both… Is it a problem? No, it is not. The problem
is that society is not used to it. As usual, people are afraid by the unknown. Therefore some people
struggle because of the way society sees, treats and judges them. Too often men are expected to act in one
way and women in another way. Anybody should be able to do anything without being limited by the
characteristics others give to the group they believe others belong to. Things are complex. A man can be
sensitive, a woman can be empowered, not everybody is heterosexual…
Media and information can change point of views. Very often when you know and love someone
facing society’s judgements about gender you tend to become aware of reality and to open your mind. Yet,
some people do not know anybody in this situation. Others reject them. People facing problems keep it for
themselves…
Information and Media can bring knowledge to people to make them tolerant. It can show to people
struggling with their gender that they are not alone. Recently Conchita Wurst has won the Eurovision song
contest and Bruce Jenner has announced that he had always felt like he was a woman and that he was
going to become one physically. Of course, you may not like the old fashion Eurovision song contest or
reject the way the Kardashian family uses its private life to make money. Yet, these 2 individuals are
liked, admired and watched. Conchita Wurst was able to explain publicly why she had a beard and dressed
like a woman. People who know Bruce Jenner know him as an actual person, it too late to reject him in a
group far away that you do not want to see. People know his life, his family… People know he is normal.
He is normal and he is becoming a woman. Thanks to him many mentalities may change.
We hope that maybe, at our level, by dealing with gender issues, we will maybe make a little
difference here in the Hague University. We also hope that you will enjoy reading this last issue of the
year of the Globetrotter Magazine.
Helene Mead
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