Compiled By GayToday
Courtesy of the GLAADAlert
Washington, D.C.--The Associated Press (AP) Stylebook is used by the majority
of journalists as the gold standard for proper news reporting form and accurate
terminology.
GLAAD and GenderPac, a transgender lobby group, met with AP Stylebook
editors and senior staff earlier this year to discuss revisions in
terminology when covering lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues. A
significant addition has now been made in the new edition of the stylebook
under the entry for "gay." Under "sex change," the use of pronouns is
clarified.
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For the "gay" entry, the new edition has the added sentence, "Avoid
references to gay, homosexual or alternative 'lifestyle.'"
This addition will affect how many stories about the lesbian and gay
community will be written. By recommending not using the word "lifestyle,"
AP is helping to prevent reporters from giving the false representation
that being a lesbian or a gay man is a matter of choice or something less
than genuine. Dropping the word "alternative" does the same.
For the "sex change" entry, reporters are instructed to use the pronouns
preferred by the individual who is referenced. This clarification in the
stylebook will help insure transgender persons can have themselves
identified correctly and not be subjected to the sometimes erroneous or
even prejudicial judgment of the reporter.
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Related Sites:
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GayToday does not endorse related sites.
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Please thank AP for making these important changes and encourage it to
continue revising the stylebook.
Contact:
David Tomlin,
Assistant to the President
Associated Press
e-mail: dtomlin@ap.org
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