[Blog/Commentary] [Canada] A Reminder for the Media: Respect Transgender Identity and Expression
Stephanie Stevens
TRANS TALK
A Reminder for the Media: Respect Transgender Identity and Expression
February 4, 2012. 8:22 am • Section: Trans Talk
Posted by: Jillian Page
The D.C. Transgender Coalition (DCTC) had some stern words for some
media outlets about their coverage of the stabbing death of a young
trans person in Washington, D.C. on Thursday.
I report this here because their statement should serve as a reminder
for ALL media outlets of how to cover news that involves trans people.
As reported in Metro Weekly <http://www.metroweekly.com/news/?ak=7034> :
DCTC … took local media outlets to task for incorrectly referring to
the deceased as a ”man living as a woman” and for emphasizing the
discovery of her natal sex in their news coverage.
”We condemn in the strongest possible terms the transphobic language
deployed by several media outlets last night and this morning,” DCTC’s
Jason Terry said in a Feb. 3 statement. ”While we certainly agree that
the general public needs to be aware of trans communities’ losses and
successes, it is imperative that members of the press refer to trans
people in a way that respects each person’s gender identity or
expression.”
Jillian
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