The Media, the Legislature and the Police Are Guilty Too

[Shana A]

The Media, the Legislature and the Police Are Guilty Too
Filed by: Bil Browning
December 30, 2008 5:00 PM

http://www.bilerico.com/2008/12/the_media_the_legislature_and_the_police.php

and http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bil-browning/the-media-the-legislature_b_154351.html

My post, "Transgender woman and her boyfriend murdered in Indianapolis," has created quite a bit of conversation - both here on the Project and in certain circles in Indiana. I've just finished an interview with an Indianapolis Star reporter about my criticism of local media reporting and offensive police statements; it seems the appropriate time to bring everyone up to date and clarify exactly what I'm seeking.

After a double homicide over the holiday weekend, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) held a press conference to release details about the crime. IMPD released two male names and mug shots of the victims, commented on the victims' criminal histories and said the two lived "an alternative lifestyle." One of the victims was transgender; the other was her boyfriend.

To IMPD's credit, it doesn't appear that they identified the gender of either victim. Instead, the spokesperson referred to two "individuals" or "people" or similar gender nonspecific language.