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Open Letter by Nat'l Lesbian & Gay Journalists Assoc. to News Media Re Lance Bass' 'Coming Out'
U.S. Newswire ^ | 7/26/06 | Eric Hegedus

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


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News
KEYWORDS: admit; codewords; homosexualagenda; jameslancebass; lancebass; newspeak; nsync; perverts; wordsmeanthings
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To: vharlow
Hayek warned long ago that all they needed to do was change the language

Great - now Selma Hayek is homosex -- er er - gay, too?

61 posted on 07/27/2006 6:11:59 AM PDT by Rutles4Ever
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To: Rutles4Ever

Salma Hayek didn't even exist long ago. Ever heard of Frederic Hayek? Economist? Long ago.


62 posted on 07/27/2006 8:52:04 AM PDT by vharlow (http://www.vventures.net)
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To: dayglored

Re photos: Is it me or does this guy have some weird deer-in-headlights look about him?


63 posted on 07/27/2006 9:33:52 AM PDT by MoochPooch (I'm a compassionate cynic.)
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To: peyton randolph
The term "gay pillow-biter" is the preferred adjective that has largely replaced "homosexual deviant" in referring to men who are sexually and affectionately attracted to other men. "Homosexual Gerbil-bait" should be used only if "heterosexual banana-stuffer" would be used in parallel constructions, such as in medical contexts.

Your post reminds me of comedian Kevin Nealon's subliminal message man

64 posted on 07/27/2006 10:29:24 AM PDT by sully777 (You have flies in your eyes--Catch-22)
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To: napscoordinator
Richard Simmons is not gay. He has never said he was and nobody has asked...please let's keep it that way!!!!!

BWAHAHAHHAHAHAHA....

And Ted Kennedy is not an alcoholic and never said he was and nobody has asked him..

65 posted on 07/27/2006 12:49:56 PM PDT by ElkGroveDan (California bashers will be called out)
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To: ElkGroveDan

I know but if people would not guess who is gay and who is not than we would not be in the mess we are in now. We give these freaks attention and they feed off of it.


66 posted on 07/27/2006 1:01:40 PM PDT by napscoordinator
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To: dayglored

He's got that 'wondering if it will fit' look..


67 posted on 07/27/2006 2:32:22 PM PDT by Trillian
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To: dukeman
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."

I see their point. After all, I have sex with my wife, and rock stars have sex with female groupies, but our lifestyles are quite different!

The problem is that unlike me and the rock stars, many homosexuals have built a whole identity around their bedroom behavior that is present in no other group, not even in other deviants. Some of the gay folks I've known have not only trumpeted their preference, but have remade virtually every aspect of their life in relation to it. I am sure some of the heterosexual people I know are into S&M, but I have yet to have any of them tell me that they are, much less remake their whole lives because their bedroom behavior is outside the mainstream and they need to make some sort of "statement" about it.

68 posted on 08/01/2006 10:21:40 PM PDT by Mr. Silverback (NewsMax gives aid and comfort to the enemy-- http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1642052/posts)
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To: Slings and Arrows
Lance Bass is a musician?!

Yeah, he plays the skin flute.

69 posted on 08/01/2006 10:23:04 PM PDT by dfwgator
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To: peyton randolph

Send paramedics. dying laughing.


70 posted on 08/01/2006 10:28:44 PM PDT by Mr. Silverback (NewsMax gives aid and comfort to the enemy-- http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1642052/posts)
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To: dfwgator

ROTFLOLing!


71 posted on 08/01/2006 10:31:27 PM PDT by Slings and Arrows (Pray for peace, prepare for war.)
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To: dukeman

His name is gay too.


72 posted on 08/01/2006 10:33:59 PM PDT by John Lenin
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