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World

New York Times to Publish Same-Sex Civil Union Announcements

Compiled by GayToday
National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association

The New York Times will become only the second major newspaper in the country to publish same-sex civil union and commitment announcements

Washington, D.C.-- The New York Times has been widely commended for its decision to publish same-sex civil union and commitment announcements. The venerable newspaper announced its new policy in its Sunday edition, August 18, 2002, and disclosed that this change will take effect in September 2002.

The National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA) expressed immediate praise for The Times.

The decision, says the Association, followed a meeting held in December 2001 with the leadership of NLGJA and gay and lesbian members of The Times' staff and Publisher Arthur Sulzberger Jr. and other senior officers of the newspaper. NLGJA urged the Times to continue its leadership in covering the LGBT community by publishing such announcements.

"The Times decision is historic," said Robert Dodge, president of NLGJA and national economics correspondent of The Dallas Morning News.

"This decision will stand as a beacon for other major news organizations which are also eager to maintain fairness and equity in their coverage of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community."

The meeting with The Times and the subsequent announcement underscore the role and influence that NLGJA members have working from within the news industry to advance the organization's goals of fairness and accuracy in covering the gay and lesbian community.

Pamela Strother, executive director of NLGJA, added:

"This groundbreaking announcement comes on the eve of our national convention in Philadelphia next month, and I cannot imagine a more electrifying climate this will stir. Change happens because leaders, like the Times, step up at critical moments and do the right thing. We look forward to congratulating our colleagues at the New York Times in person, and to witness the ripple effects this will bring in the news industry."

In making the announcement, The Times noted the increasing trend in society toward public celebrations of commitments by gay and lesbian partners and the importance of these events by friends and families. "The Times has done the right thing in deciding to maintain balance and fairness in its coverage," Dodge said. "This is what a great newspaper does."

Dodge and Strother also praised The New York Times for acknowledging that same-sex unions and commitments remain controversial and that society remains divided about the issue. NLGJA supports efforts by The Times and other news organizations to cover both sides of the issue -- fairly and accurately.

NLGJA leaders recently held a similar meeting this summer with The Boston Globe and encouraged senior editors also to begin publishing same-sex commitment and union announcements. "NLGJA remains hopeful The Boston Globe will join The New York Times in providing this industry leadership," Dodge said.

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