I would never have expected this, but Riki Wilchins of has just demonstrated a shocking stereotype related to gender presentation. In the news release Ms. Wilchins was quoted as saying:
This father – like countless fathers – was dead set on raising Clint Eastwood and not Alan Alda.
That comment made my jaw hit the floor so hard I just had to write back immediately.
I am astonished at the comparison Ms. Wilchins has just made between Clint Eastwood and Alan Alda. I would think that of all people, she should understand the hurt stereotyping can do. Clint Eastwood may match the American ideal of a “real man” but that is no reason to insult Alan Alda in this way. I am a longtime fan of his and I am just shocked by this. I’m sure even he would agree that he is no Clint Eastwood or John Wayne or the Marlboro Man – but I hardly think it is fair that he should receive this treatment from the executive director of an organization built on acceptance and diversity. Ms. Wilchins would have done much better to have left names of real people out of the picture altogether.