GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer ( LGBTQ ) media advocacy organization, is releasing resources to urge more accurate and inclusive coverage of transgender people leading into Transgender Day of Visibility ( TDOV), observed annually on March 31st.
Resources for writers to include in their protection of TDOV and all other trans problems and stories:
- New GLAAD polling data indicates that the majority of all election organizations support candidates who want to enact laws restricting access to medical care and sports participation for transgender children.
- All voter types [downloadable poll design ] largely concur that” Republicans may stop focusing on restricting women’s rights and outlawing medical care for transgender youth and rather concentrate on addressing prices, job creation, and medical prices.” 94 % of LGBTQ voters, 76 % of registered voters, 76 % of likely 2024 voters, and 82 % of swing voters agree.
- Following the abuse and dying of teen Nex Benedict, writers are asked what concerns are there for the health of all students. Nex was bullied, then beat in a restroom at university, and passed away the following morning. Oklahoma’s unaccredited medical examiner’s office released its complete report on Nex’s suicide on March 27th.
- In” Visibility,” reports should include methods that transgender people are frequently overlooked and misrepresented in advertising policy. A report released on March 26 by Media Matters and GLAAD found that the majority of New York Times articles did not offer even one transgender man. Read more these
- Unsafe: Meta Fails to Moderate Extreme Anti-Trans Hate Across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, a fresh GLAAD Social Media Safety report, demonstrates how Meta is failing to impose its own laws against hate speech and fanaticism on its platforms, allowing unchecked intense and disturbing anti-trans information.
- Every major medical association supports access to healthcare for transgender people. 30+ statements to quote from in your coverage, here.
- GLAAD’s Transgender Day of Visibility resource page<, includes terminology, data and storytelling guidance for all media to include and cover transgender and nonbinary people accurately.
- GLAAD Media Reference Guide: terminology and 20+ In Focus articles created by experts to learn more about how to accurately and broadly cover LGBTQ people.
- GLAAD Guía de términos y definiciones para los medios
- Less than one-third ( 28 % ) of non-LGBT Americans, according to the GLAAD Accelerating Acceptance Study, have personally known a transgender person.
- Find and report on Transgender Day of Visibility events, programming, people and leaders in your city and state. In Atlanta, nonprofit organizations are hosting events in Grant Park. In Dallas, TX, events include Trans Empowerment Coalition observing TDOV 2024 at Flag Pole Hill Park, sponsored by AIDS United. A tribute to a local trans college student and panel discussions from state leaders, including New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, were part of a Trans Day of Visibility celebration in New Jersey. Events are planned throughout Ohio over the weekend and on TDOV.
- GLAAD Media Award nominees include outstanding stories about trans people across television, film, documentaries, video games, music, and journalism. Among them, Monica, starring Trace Lysette, was awarded Outstanding Film – Limited Release.
” Transgender people and youth, like all of us, deserve to live and thrive in peace and safety. While transgender acceptance is increasing year-over year, a few fringe extremists are using this to spread dangerous lies and disinformation about the trans community, according to GLAAD President and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis. In the end, the media has a duty to accurately portray transgender people and report stories that promote truth, understanding, and awareness. Visibility can and should be used to create a world where everyone can be free to be themselves and live their lives authentically. It can and does this.
GLAAD Orientation for Including Transgender People:
BE INCLUSIVE TO BE ACCURATE: If a story is about transgender people, interview a transgender person. Transgender people may also be your story’s experts. There are trans people who are experts in medicine, law and policy, education, sports, media representation, and more.
Find and include experts in the fields of health, medicine, sports, education, and human rights using reliable sources of research and data rather than rhetoric and opinion from anti-LGBT politicians.
BE TRUTHFUL – NOT NEUTRAL: Avoid elevating a non- expert and non- community voice in equal weight to the experts and the majority’s lived experience.
CHALLENGE HARMFUL RHETORIC: Do not report, or report as false, claims and accusations of’ grooming’ and ‘ pedophilia’ that are not accurate, undermine understanding of actual child abuse, and endanger all LGBTQ people.
CHECK FOR AND REPORT ANTI- LGBTQ HISTORY: Coverage should include a source’s history with anti- LGBTQ groups and advocacy. The GLAAD Accountability Project has compiled the records of 200+ public figures.
