Historical LGBTQ+ coverage in The New York Times featured derogatory terms, restricting terminology on LGBTQ+ topics.
Media bias against trans healthcare emphasizes regret rates post-surgery over access to necessary medical procedures for trans youth.
Struggles for proper representation of LGBTQ+ individuals at The New York Times highlight broader industry issues in LGBTQ+ coverage.
Deep dives
The History of New York Times Coverage on LGBTQ+ Issues
The New York Times historically framed LGBTQ+ issues with headlines using derogatory terms like 'perverts' and '126 perverts discharged.' Discriminatory coverage persisted with limitations on terms used to describe LGBTQ+ topics. Even in the 1980s, using the word 'gay' was restricted. Op-eds called for people with HIV to be tattooed. Modern articles overlooked LGBTQ+ topics, like the Club Q shooting, undermining the gravity of issues faced by the community.
Inequality in Reporting on Transgender Health Care Access
Coverage focuses on questioning the access to trans healthcare like puberty blockers and surgeries for minors. The media compares regret rates post-surgery, revealing a bias against trans care. Disproportionate emphasis is given to trans youth's access to medical procedures compared to other medical practices for cisgender individuals. The framing of urgency and novelty on trans health care misrepresents the prevalence, impacting public perception.
Challenges Faced by Queer and Trans Reporters at The New York Times
Queer and trans journalists at The New York Times face struggles in proper representation in reporting. Style guide mandates translate to clunky terms like 'identifies as a woman' uniquely applied to LGBTQ+ individuals. Pronoun usage for trans individuals is often awkward or omitted, impacting readability. The internal struggle for accurate, respectful representation at The New York Times reflects a broader industry issue in LGBTQ+ coverage.
Discrepancies in Coverage and Debate Over Trans People's Existence
Discourse questions the legitimacy of trans youth existence and access to care. Opinions on puberty blockers and gender-affirming surgeries for minors are heavily debated in the media. Reporting compares the regret rates of trans surgeries, drawing biased conclusions on trans healthcare. The framing implies skepticism towards trans identity and medical needs, fostering misconceptions and stigmatizing narratives.
Challenges in Transgender Coverage at the New York Times
The podcast episode examines the challenges faced by the New York Times in its coverage of transgender issues. It highlights instances where the pronouns and identities of individuals were not respected, leading to discomfort and misrepresentation. The episode discusses how the use of language, such as avoiding the term 'queer,' has impacted reporting. Additionally, it delves into the resistance towards updating bylines for trans individuals, despite industry practices allowing such updates at other media outlets.
Responses to Criticism and Internal Disputes
The episode explores the responses towards criticism and internal disputes within the New York Times regarding its trans coverage. It details the reactions from the standards editor, the publisher, and the staff towards letters and grievances raised by contributors and LGBTQ advocacy groups. The podcast highlights the internal conflicts within the New York Times, where union actions and counter-responses to criticism led to investigatory meetings and warnings for certain employees, sparking debates around journalistic independence and responsibilities.
“What if you were writing a profile on someone named Janet and I was your editor, and I was like, ‘I’m sorry, for balance, find someone who wants to kill Janet’?” This week, Tuck Woodstock, host of Gender Reveal, takes us on a journey through the New York Times’ coverage of trans issues—and in the end, he points the way to a better future.
