North Central College political science professor quoted in Newsweek

Suzanne Chod weighed in on Brittany Aldean’s ‘Tomboy’ controversial commentary

In late August, Brittany Aldean, musical artist, made some seemingly transphobic comments in an Instagram video, where she thanked her parents for not changing her gender when she was going through her “tomboy” phase. Many critics and fans were in an uproar over her comments, but one thing that’s gotten lost in the conversation is an interrogation of the statement itself. Aldean’s post seemed to tacitly mock the parents of children who are trans or gender-questioning. Aldean claimed her words were taken out of context.

Dr. Suzanne Chod, professor of political science and coordinator of gender and sexuality studies at North Central College, interviewed with Newsweek, where she analyzed the situation.

"I have been following this closely, and am appalled, yet not surprised, by both the tone and inaccuracies of Brittany Aldean's initial comment and responses," Dr. Suzanne Chod, professor of political science and coordinator of gender and sexuality studies at North Central College. "It's another example of conflating sex and gender, and it perpetuates the narrative that parents control their children's identities."

Click here to read the full story on Newsweek.