How the AP Stylebook Fails Transgender Subjects
Posted by Amanda Hess on Sep. 8, 2009, at 11:53 am
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/sexist/2009/09/08/how-the-ap-stylebook-fails-transgender-subjects/The Associated Press Stylebook sets a fairly helpful standard for media coverage of transgender subjects. According to the AP "sex changes" entry, reporters are to:
Use the pronoun preferred by the individuals who have acquired the physical characteristics (by hormone therapy, body modification, or surgery) of the opposite sex and present themselves in a way that does not correspond with their sex at birth. If that preference is not expressed, use the pronoun consistent with the way the individuals live publicly.
So why does Jessie L. Bonner's recent AP profile of transgender mayoral candidate Melissa Sue Robinson keep zig-zagging between male and female pronouns? Robinson has acquired female physical characteristics, and prefers the female pronoun. And yet, Bonner's story refers to Robinson with female signifiers (she, her) 17 times, and male signifiers (he, him, his) six times.
