Posted on 07/26/2006 8:44:15 PM PDT by dukeman
To: National Desk
Contact: Eric Hegedus, 215-840-3909 (cell) or eric@nlgjaleaders.org, or Tom Avila, 202-588-9888 ext. 17 or 202-906-9885 (cell) or tavila@nlgja.org
WASHINGTON, July 26 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following is an open letter from the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association to the news industry regarding Lance Bass' "coming out":
Dear Colleagues:
This week, many reporters will write stories about the public "coming out" of musician Lance Bass, the ‘N Sync band member who discusses his sexual orientation in the latest issue of People magazine.
Over the past year, such celebrities as WNBA star Sheryl Swoopes and "Star Trek" actor George Takei also came out, bringing substantial coverage to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues. As similar stories are filed and produced in the future, the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA) encourages reporters and other journalists, bloggers, columnists and media analysts to keep in mind the following recommendations for fair and accurate reporting of LGBT people:
The term "gay" is the preferred adjective that has largely replaced "homosexual" in referring to men who are sexually and affectionally attracted to other men. "Homosexual" should be used only if "heterosexual" would be used in parallel constructions, such as in medical contexts.
Whether in headlines, teases, or body copy, try to avoid using forms of the word "admit," which is typically used in the context of something shameful or illegal. Some examples of less potentially charged words are "announce," "disclose" and "say."
Also, be aware that the Associated Press Stylebook recommends avoiding the term "lifestyle" when referring to someone's sexual orientation. In this context, "lifestyle" suggests that gays and lesbians -- not to mention bisexuals and transgender people -- think and act the same way. In fact, there is no "gay lifestyle" or "alternative lifestyle" just as there is no "straight lifestyle."
NLGJA has several resources to help guide journalists who are reporting on LGBT people and issues. Please visit our Stylebook Supplement on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Terminology at http://www.nlgja.org/resources/stylebook.html , or our Journalists Toolbox at http://www.nlgja.org/resources/toolbox.html. We hope these will be useful to you in your pursuit of good journalism.
Sincerely,
Eric Hegedus, NLGJA National President
Pamela Strother, NLGJA Executive Director
Didn't George Michael just admit there was a "gay lifestyle"?
This should be in Breaking News!
Lance Bass is a musician?!
I've noticed over the past 2 months, the gay democratic flavor blog world have been posting whines that the log cabin flavor gays aren't coming out like they are suppose to. They were targetting a few RINO politicians specifically.
November's elections are going to be nasty. Especially with this 'coming out' movement they are pushing.
If gays insist on being like normal folk, they really should quit having press releases put out claiming they've come out of the closet.
BTW, I live a straight lifestyle!
Yawn
Does this mean I have to stop using the term "faggoty" as in, "That guy in the pink shirt sure looks faggoty"?
Liiiiiiiies! Fillthy LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIES!!!
But yikes, freaking language PC nazis. Anybody who doesn't go along with their little recomendations will go to Tolerance Camp.
Orwell would be proud.
There's not ONE person left in any closet anywhere!!
Apparently in their alternate universe, "musician" is defined differently than the one in which I live.
I heard this musician might be gay also
"...of musician Lance Bass, the ‘N Sync band member..."
Bass isn't a musician, and N Sync was never a band. Corporate flunkies whose "music" was an insult to all serious musicians.
Besides, was anyone really surprised about this, and even more to the point, who really cares about another fag coming out of the closet? Why is this "news" at all?
Personally, I'm glad Bass's genetic material will be prevented from harming future American music sensibilities.
They're calling it the Back Door Boys.
Oh dear, are these tedious idjits trying to censor what people write? Somebody call the ACLU!
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