GLAAD:Indiana’s WTHR-TV Changes News Story To Reflect Transgender Fairness

[bluedawg12]

http://glaadblog.org/2009/01/26/indianas-wthr-tv-changes-story-glaad-named-worst/

Indiana’s WTHR-TV Changes Story GLAAD Named “Worst”
January 26, 2009 by Sarah K @ GLAAD

Thanks to a “worst” mention in GLAAD’s latest “Best & Worst of National News,” and coverage of the mention at the Bilerico Project, a problematic news story has been changed on the website of WTHR, a local NBC affiliate.


Michael Hunt and Taysia Elzy
Near the end of December, 2008, a transgender woman, Taysia Elzy, and her partner, Michael Hunt, were found murdered in their Indianapolis home. Local news media began to identify the Elzy by her male name. They also used male pronouns. GLAAD and local advocates, including Bil Browning of The Bilerico Project, reached out to reporters to talk with them about how to report on transgender people in a fair and accurate way.

The Indianapolis Star took the most proactive approach in their coverage. Both The Bilerico Project and GLAAD were able to speak with one of their news reporters, Francesca Jarosz, who made sure to use appropriate terminology when referring to Elzy.

Local station WTHR-TV was another story. Their news reporter Steve Jefferson referred to Elzy as a man in his news story, and was unwilling to use terminology resources provided by GLAAD, which included GLAAD’s Media Reference Guide, which lists the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook’s section on transgender issues:

Transgender: Use the pronoun preferred by the individuals who have acquired the physical characteristics of the opposite sex or 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.

After receiving an e-mail back from Jefferson, it was clear he was not interested in changing his story to adhere to AP guidelines. (He said he did not use female pronouns because he said the transgender victim “was NOT post-op.” )

Thanks to all of those who took action after seeing our “Best & Worst” on glaad.org, Bilerico, and many other blogs. Check out the change it’s making on the media landscape in Indiana via Bilerico’s Update:

UPDATE: I spoke with Carolyn Williams, the News Director for WTHR. The offensive article has been edited to conform with the AP Style Guide. Ms. Williams will also be speaking with her Station Manager about coordinating a diversity training session on LGBT issues with all area television stations.

Ms. Williams was very kind and understanding. E-mailing Ms. Williams with kudos for her prompt response and leadership would be more appropriate at this point!

For those interested in thanking Williams: [e-mail]

It’s exciting to see media professionals take the time out to ensure that stories about transgender people are fair and accurate! In a time when GLAAD still has enough “worst” stories to publish a “Best & Worst of National News” every month, it’s a big step to see a major news station make a change like this.

The next time you see a problematic story about the LGBT community, reach out! Let us know here at GLAAD by filling out a quick Incident Report on glaad.org and write to the media professionals involved letting them know how you feel! And if you see a great story, let us know, and thank the reporter as well!

[Myrina]

1. Local coverage of that tragedy was disappointing ...

... consistently referred to the couple as 'living an alternative lifestyle' ... like they were vampires or something.


Typical around here, though. Sadly.

[bluedawg12]

3. A little progress in the wake of a tragic story.

This least shows that GLBTQ activism can make in-roads even in the reddest States and is worth the uphill effort.

Sadly, it has to come as part of educating the media and society in the wake of tragedy.

I would call being a murderer, the alternative lifetyle--geesh. :eyes:

[IndianaGreen]

2. Arrest Made in Taysia Elzy Case; Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department to Establish LGBT Liais

I missed this story altogether when it happened, which is not that unusual considering my personal schedule. Here is a related story:

Arrest Made in Taysia Elzy Case; Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department to Establish LGBT Liaison



A few local organizations (not just LGBT) met yesterday with officials from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and Public Safety Director Scott Newman in a previously scheduled meeting to discuss hate crimes legislation. Indiana Equality, the statewide LGBT equality org, organized the meeting to facilitate a wide coalition of advocates for the legislation.

Indiana Transgender Advocacy Alliance President Vivian Benge sent an exclusive statement to me moments ago.

We discussed the Taysia Elzy/Michael Hunt murders at some length, as well as other concerns of the transgender community.

INTRAA is satisfied that the IMPD is doing everything it can to solve this heinous crime and to bring the perpetrator to justice.

INTRAA understands that the business of solving crimes and bringing criminals to justice is a dangerous and often thankless one for the police.

At the same time we, and the IMPD, recognize that there is a gulf of misinformation and history that separates the transgender community from a healthy trust of the police. This lack of understanding has a long history, but one that must be overcome in order that our community, and the larger LGBT community, can be made safer from such outrages.

INTRAA and IE participants in the meeting also addressed language and communication issues, such as the comment:

"... (the) two individuals did live an alternative lifestyle" 12/27/08 Channel 13 video of Lt. Kevin Kelly regarding 12/26/08 murders of Avery Elzy and Michael Hunt.

INTRAA is persuaded that there was no malicious intent and no offence meant. In actuality, Lt. Kelly has been sensitive to language regarding people who are transgender, in the past, and we recognize communicating about cases involving people who are transgender can also be elicited and used by the press in ways not intended by the police department. Press attitudes must also be changed so that the flow of information to the public is appropriate and ethical.



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bil-browning/arrest-made-in-taysia-elz_b_154759.html

[bluedawg12]

4. Thank you for posting this additional information. Such a tragic story.

The little in-roads with language can make a difference in changing attitudes over time.