"Why So Gendered?" Poster Campaign Questions Gender

White paper signs emblazoned with "why so gendered?" plastered campus buildings Monday, sparking curiosity and debate. The signs, posted by an anonymous advocate, often included a copy of the E Book’s dress code guidelines with the words "For Boys" and "For Girls" highlighted. Although the intent of the posters is ambiguous, they have sparked dialogue about gender issues on campus such as dress code and co-ed bathrooms.

The posters hung from bathroom doors and bulletin boards. Kelly McGahie, assistant director of Student Activities, said she took down some of the posters, since taping papers to doors and windows are not allowed.

The club heads of Exeter’s Gay/Straight Alliance and Feminist Union both denied involvement in the campaign, suggesting that it is instead the work of an individual. Senior Fernanda Martinez, co- head of GSA, still offered up her view on the signs, though her views did not represent those of the organization.

Referring to the papers posted on the bathroom doors, Martinez said that "necessity for gender neutral spaces on campus is definitely something that needs to be addressed." "I do not think all bathrooms should be transformed into gender neutral spaces, but it may be helpful to have a conversation about making gender neutral spaces more accessible for students," she said. "In discussing this with some friends, I think I understand how gender neutral can sound scary or dangerous to some people and may even make many feel uncomfortable however, I do think that there is a need for them seeing as there are definitely those on campus who feel non-gender-neutral spaces are scary and dangerous or uncomfortable," Martinez said.History instructor Michael Golay brought up the "why so gendered?" posters in class and fostered a discussion about their meaning. "The handbills were intriguing," Golay said. "But I wasn't sure what they were about. Dress code only? Something else? Then, too, who sponsored the posters? It would have been helpful for someone to have taken responsibility for them."The ambiguity of the signs has led to a variety of interpretations by students and faculty. Some thought it was pointed towards the strictness of the boys’ dress code or the fact that they were separated by gender to begin with, but for many, it was hard to be sure."I think that what they’re trying to say is that boys and girls are wearing different styles and each style is gender biased," prep Rohan Upadhyayula said. "Some people could look at the posters and say that they’re up there because boys have a stricter dress code, but I think it is much more than that.""I'm not sure what they’re supposed to convey," upper Dana Yu said. "Maybe they're trying to make a point that not everybody of the male sex identifies with the male gender, so limiting their dress code everyday to a shirt and tie is restricting their freedoms. If a boy wanted to wear a dress to class, it wouldn't only be looked down upon, but it actually violates the school rule."Upper Rowan Rainwalker felt similarly, emphasizing that his statement did not reflect the opinions of GSA. "The dress code conforms campus to a cisgendered 'ideal' that is no longer relevant and is harmful to those among us who are transgender, gender queer or fluid," he said. "I think the posters were put up in an attempt to bring attention to the gendered aspects of campus ie. there are few non-gendered bathrooms and the dress code very obviously segregates campus."Upper Emily Lemmerman felt that the difference in strictness in dress code is unfair. "Boys are strictly defined by what they can or can’t wear, while girls aren’t," she said. "I think it would be cool if the dress code was somewhat switched as an experiment--if girls wore a shirt and tie for a week."The common thread between many opinions was that anonymous signs were not the best way to address the topic.

"I think that the issue is really important, and that it isn’t something to be discussed lightly," senior Jack Bright said. "On the other hand, I don’t think that tacking up posters everywhere is the right way to go about this."

"I think that the issue is really important, and that it isn’t something to be discussed lightly," senior Jack Bright said. "On the other hand, I don’t think that tacking up posters everywhere is the right way to go about this."Upper Jad Saligman agreed with Bright, saying that there was not enough said on the signs. "The point itself is good, in that there is a lot of bias and segregation based on the dress code between boys and girls, but the way that this issue was emphasized was infantile," Saligman said. "Highlighting four words doesn’t count as commentary."