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Original poster

Trans Journalists Association Style Guide- what can/cannot be said

67 replies

Winesalot · 10/07/2020 10:07

I have linked an archive link so I hope it works.

This is where the state of journalism ‘should be’ in the eyes of this association. I can see a lot of areas that are problematic here.

  • don’t mention criminal history unless transperson agrees to have it released
  • don’t dead name or ask previous names (mmmm... way to hide said past transgressions)
  • don’t mention women unless it means transwomen as well
  • don’t even say ‘identifies as’ just say ‘is’
  • and don’t give a platform to terfs, truscum (I hate that word) or trans medievalists.
  • don’t give misinformation about sports (ummm.... there is plenty of peer reviewed information that proves there IS issues but they say ignore it)
  • don’t give emphasis on detransistioning

If you talk to terfs never call them feminists.

There is so much wrong here. There are some relevant points too that would apply when talking about anyone else. I have to pop out but thought to quickly put this up for those who may not have seen it.

<a class="break-all" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200705235423/transjournalists.org/style-guide/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">web.archive.org/web/20200705235423/transjournalists.org/style-guide/

OP posts:
Jeeeez · 10/07/2020 11:07

Hi everyone. I appreciate I'm popping up in loads of threads out of the blue (not even been a lurker) but jkr has revived my feminism! Thanks for posting this link. My partner teaches on journalism/media/pr esp critical thinking and whose voice is being put forward at uni, so I really hope I can persuade him to persuade his team to include this in their teaching next year. It'd be great to get another viewpoint over to undergraduates and get them out of their echo chamber! Sadly it might be a bit late for the coming year, but everything is worth trying.

Whatsnewpussyhat · 10/07/2020 11:02

It is ridiculous that actual dysphoric trans people are told that aren't real trans by people (mostly white, hetero adult males) with no dysphoria or body issues.

Original poster
Winesalot · 10/07/2020 11:01

The whole concept that journalists should avoid deadnaming goes against accuracy in reporting to me.

  • when other sources deadname or misgender a transperson this group's advice is to skip that source's quote or if it is an audio format 'You may also let the listener/viewer know the person is being misgendered/deadnamed and bleep those words out, as you would with a curse word or protected personal information.'
  • 'If a trans person contacts a newsroom or reporter asking for a story to be updated with their new name or to remove information that outs the person as trans, newsrooms should always make those changes when possible.' ie. rewrite history
  • 'Don’t ask about someone’s deadname. ' 'Don’t ask for or publish a person’s criminal history unless it’s completely relevant. You may need to find a different source or give the source anonymity if you cannot proceed with the story without publishing their criminal history. Publishing such information is rarely in the public interest. Consider killing a story if you have no alternatives. '

This really does seem to be a playbook for what we have seen happen and what is in action. The ability to rewrite history and why should ANYONE get to hide a criminal history unless that person has since been found innocent.

OP posts:
Original poster
Winesalot · 10/07/2020 10:46

What is a "trans medievalist"?

Immediately thought of the serf scene in Holy Grail since John Cleese is also topical.

OP posts:
DianasLasso · 10/07/2020 10:45

Oh, gutted "Transmedievalist" was an auto-correct failure. That one really had legs for a bit of Friday entertainment.

But hey, "transmedicalist." After all, who would want to listen to actual doctors and psychologists about the best way of supporting people with gender dysphoria? And whoever would want to question the notion that including within the trans umbrella occasional cross dressers who get a sexual frisson from the feel of stockings and suspenders might in fact be doing a disservice to people with genuine gender dysphoria? Bigots, the lot of 'em.

Original poster
Winesalot · 10/07/2020 10:42

What is a "trans medievalist"? Grin

That is transmedicalist. Apologies, but that was autocorrected and quite apt I am sure in this association's eyes.

They define it as Transmedicalists are a fringe part of the trans community who believe that experiencing gender dysphoria and seeking gender-affirming medical care is a prerequisite of being trans.

ie. Transmedicalists are bigots for labelling anyone without gender dysphoria as not falling under the transhumbrella. (another autocorrect that I thought to leave there because it is Friday and I am feeling perverse).

They go on to say Many wrongly argue that non-binary people cannot be trans and spread the inaccurate message that non-binary people don’t need or want gender-affirming medical care. Avoid elevating this harmful ideology, which ignores the varied experiences of trans people. On the rare occasion that it’s ethical to report on this ideology, bear in mind that only reporters deeply familiar with trans communities are equipped to cover this topic without causing harm and spreading disinformation.

OP posts:
Whatsnewpussyhat · 10/07/2020 10:41

What is a "trans medievalist"?

A trans person who also likes taking part in historical re-enactment role play?

DianasLasso · 10/07/2020 10:41

What is a "trans medievalist"?

Maybe it's one who looks into the possibility of recreating Hannibal's crossing of the Alps with elephants. Transmontane and all that. Of course it's the wrong period of history, but as the esteemed collective of journalists who occasioned this thread would no doubt agree, when it comes to factual innacuracy, the appropriate response is always "Up to a point Lord Copper."

Mycatismadeofstringcheese · 10/07/2020 10:39

I’ve just googled “trans medievalists”

Still none the wiser.

Thinks you can change sex by application of leeches?
Big fan of The Canterbury Tales. Thinks the Wife of Bath is trans exclusionary when she refers to her “queint”?
Likely to die of the plague?
Up for a few witch burnings?

Tootletum · 10/07/2020 10:37

Love the bit about avoiding any cis voices on trans issues, but trans people should be interviewed on a wide range of non trans subjects.

fiestar · 10/07/2020 10:33

I think journos are going to see the stuff about "don't talk to truscum" and "don't talk to detrans", and it's going to inspire some articles about the controversy in the movement. They don't even have to talk to any natal women.

Also, I have to say I loved the "please when talking about trans people in sport make sure you say it is trans MEN who are competing with cis women but otherwise don't mention it thanks" That's got to pique some interest for journalists, right? Who wrote this guide? Were trans men involved at any stage?

OhHolyJesus · 10/07/2020 10:30

No one is talking to the feminists anyway. Or at least not the feminists who know what a woman is.

DreadPirateLuna · 10/07/2020 10:30

What is a "trans medievalist"?

When I google the term, I just get some articles about so-called transgender people in the middle ages, who seem to be mostly females dressing as men in order to do things women weren't allowed to do.

Beamur · 10/07/2020 10:25

If you talk to terfs never call them feminists
But terf stands for trans exclusionary radical feminist...Pfft. Idiots.

This made me laugh. DOH!

Collidascope · 10/07/2020 10:22

If you talk to terfs never call them feminists
But terf stands for trans exclusionary radical feminist...Pfft. Idiots.

DianasLasso · 10/07/2020 10:21

It reminds me of that very funny video clip someone circulated a while ago. "They're saying the quiet bits loud." Grin

The whole set of guidelines can be boiled down to "Don't say the quiet bits loud."

NotBadConsidering · 10/07/2020 10:19

That guide and the tenets of journalism are polar opposites.