My Plea to the Media to Learn how to Properly Report Transgender News Stories
http://conversations-with-a-gender-therapist.com/tag/florence-colorado/
Author: Dara Hoffman-Cox   Source: Conversations with a Gender Therapist

My first plea to the media regarding transgender news coverage is this.

When you come across a story regarding a transgender issue, and especially if it has to do with a child or a teenager, please keep in mind that 1) you are writing about a living, breathing, human being who is a citizen of the United States of America, 2) that your words have the power to either educate or breed fear in your readers, and 3) your words will either help create a safer world for that youth, or a more violent world for that youth.



My next plea to the media regarding transgender news coverage.

This is directed towards those media folks who are well-intentioned when it comes to reporting transgender news stories. You may be unaware as to what the correct terminology is to use in these stories, as well as not having enough understanding as to what it means when someone is transgender, especially those who suffer from Gender Dysphoria.

LH's edit: to add author and specify source

I liked her three requests. I'd add a fourth one:

4. Don't mention genital surgery unless it's somehow relevant to the article. If you do mention that the subject is not post-op, DON'T USE THE WORD "YET".

I think the press is perpetuating the notion that we all get SRS and that our transition is not complete without it. That has led to draconian laws and policies that require surgery for gender changes on documents.

I like the article.  I would also add 5. Check your sources.

Quote from: Ms. OBrien CVT on November 15, 2013, 10:03:57 AM
I like the article.  I would also add 5. Check your sources.

That was the first point I read in the article. that should be the norm for reporting any story.

Every news story I read is hard to handle! Made even worse when I read the hateful comments section

  Just today I was reading a news story about Carmen Carrera becoming a Victoria's Secret model, the comments were over 90% negative and crude mostly by males.

  I think the local Northern California major tv news channel that put it on their Facebook page knew they would get such reactions.

Personally, the transgender status has no place in the article unless directly related to why it is a story. Even then, one mention is enough.

Wow... that graphic is downright harrowing. I'm defintiely going to re-post that on Facebook.