Chicago Sun-Times Retracts Editorial Saying Transgender Actress Is ‘Not a Woman'

[Olivia P]

By L.A. Ross on June 3, 2014 @ 5:23 pm

The Chicago Sun-Times is backpedaling Tuesday after it published an opinion column Monday declaring "Laverne Cox Is Not a Woman," days after the "Orange Is the New Black" actress became the first transgender person to appear on the cover of Time magazine.

The newspaper withdrew the op-ed by conservative National Review columnist Kevin D. Williamson Tuesday and issued an apology, saying the article failed to take into account "some key facts" about the medical condition of gender dysphoria.

"It failed as well to acknowledge the real and undeniable pain and discrimination felt by transgender people, who suffer from notably higher rates of depression and suicide," Sun-Times editorial editor Tom McNamee said in a statement.

More: http://www.thewrap.com/chicago-sun-times-retracts-editorial-saying-transgender-actress-laverne-cox-is-not-a-woman/

[suzifrommd]

People will argue that this is censorship, that the author was bullied, etc.

But hateful writing is dangerous. When a mainstream paper supports denying our true gender, others will use it to justify persecuting and misgendering us. Yes, newspapers must provide alternative viewpoints. But they can't allow themselves to become an instrument of oppression.

I'm thrilled they were pressured into taking that story down.

[aleon515]

Some people seem to think "freedom of speech" implies somehow that they can say whatever hateful thing they want and no one will say anything and that moreover there will never be any real world consequences (like getting your editorial pulled or even getting fired). They are so noble. Yes, he can say those things and no one will jail him.

--Jay

[Olivia P]

Some people seem to think "freedom of speech" implies somehow that they can say whatever hateful thing they want and no one will say anything and that moreover there will never be any real world consequences (like getting your editorial pulled or even getting fired). They are so noble. Yes, he can say those things and no one will jail him.

--Jay

The way I like to summarise that is, freedom of speech does not mean freedom from criticism. People too often think freedom of speech means they can say whatever they want without it coming back to them, but that's simply not true.

[Jill F]

I could write an editorial declaring that Kevin D. Williamson is not really a man. 

Equally ridiculous, but fair game.  Right?

[Vicky]

Back in my long lost law school days, there was a case we had to see where the statement was that no one had an unabridged right to yell FIRE in a crowded theater.  I know it is stretching it, but I think is could apply here. 

[Kassie]

What goes around comes around perhaps Kevin needs to go back to journalism school 101

[Arch]

I know better than to read the comments, I really do. My only excuse is that it's bedtime, I have been grading all day, and I am very tired.

Now I'm tired and angry and depressed.