The Zapata murder trial coverage - and the missed opportunity of the LGB media

[Shana A]

The Zapata murder trial coverage - and the missed opportunity of the LGB media and blogosphere
by: Pam Spaulding
Thu Apr 23, 2009 at 07:00:00 AM EDT

http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/10537/the-zapata-murder-trial-coverage-and-the-missed-opportunity-of-the-lgb-media-and-blogosphere

Autumn was going to be the only transgender citizen journalist covering the trial, and I told Autumn to be prepared for a raised profile, because the mainstream media was going to need a reality check from someone who could expand their worldview on transgender issues for this trial. At that time we had no idea that there wasn't going to be any LGBT news presence on the ground, so Autumn gave out her cell phone number on a listserv monitored by most of the gay press to alert our contacts that she could be a resource to them, and provide coverage, a perspective on how trans issues were being handled, you know, the obvious.

After all, LGBT news media are often concerned about the biased, often inaccurate portrayal of our community in mainstream media reporting. It seemed like a great opportunity to bring a fresh, accurate and personal perspective to the on-the-ground reporting on a difficult trial dealing with issues unfamiliar to the general public.

[MeghanAndrews]

I'm glad someone was covering it but I don't know if Autumn was the right person for that. There's something about her reporting that seems a little too self-indulgent to me. I saw just one example last night when reviewing the Twitter archives for the trial from the Greeley Tribune:

# comment -- This is Autumn Sandeen, a trans woman. Am I deceptive when I go to the grocery store and don't out myself? AUGH! #zapataabout 8 hours ago from web .

Does it really matter what happens to Autumn Sandeen at a grocery store and is that relevant to the trial? Is it necessary? Not many comparisons between Autumn's need for disclosure and Angie's, they are quite different. And then to post that IN THE TWITTER blog on justiceforangie.com? A little too self-serving for me.

The DA said :"DA Miller: Not deception -- "Is she supposed to where a sign that she's transgender?" #zapata""

I believe Autumn was seeing herself and how her life related to that comment but she completely misses the point. The key point in the trial is disclosure and Autumn's need for disclosure is much different and serves no purpose being anywhere near this murder trial where the nation is watching and judging us. Just my thoughts, Meghan