Shock as Kevin becomes counsellor Keira

[Shana A]

Shock as Kevin becomes counsellor Keira

By Aaron Tinney
Sunday, 1 November 2009

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/shock-as-kevin-becomes-counsellor-keira-14547043.html

Meet the TRANSSEXUAL rape counsellor who saw vulnerable victims while wearing HIGH HEELS, LEGGINGS and LIPSTICK. Burly Keira McCormack, 47 — who used to be a quantity surveyor known as Kevin — was employed at the Nexus Institute in Belfast from 2005 to May this year.

Rape crisis experts consulted by Sunday Life have questioned why women in need of help were confronted by a 5ft 10in ->-bleeped-<-.

Both Keira and the Nexus Institute refused to discuss her work there. But we have spoken to Keira's wife, Alison, who today reveals how Kevin went from a quantity surveyor to Keira the counsellor.

[Allamakee]

Yikes.

How many things are wrong with this article?

1. The headline, which uses the word "shock" even though no one shocked is quoted or cited.

2. The headline, which indicates that Ms. McCormick is still working as a counselor, when she hasn't done so for several months.

3. Describing her as "burly", a stereotypical masculine adjective.  Her photo doesn't show a burly person.

4. A gratuitous mention of an ex-wife, who doesn't provide any actual information in the story.

5. No apparent purpose for the article, other than an opportunity to ambush Ms. McCormick during her visit to Northern Ireland (where she no longer lives.)