Media
NCTE has three primary goals in terms of media coverage of transgender people and our issues.
- Promoting fair, sensitive, accurate and respectful coverage of transgender people.
- Providing resources to journalists.
- Working with allies and journalists to assure positive protrayals of transpeople in the media.
Please contact NCTE with questions about how to more accurately and appropriately report on transgender people.
Mara Keisling speaking
against the Marriage
Amendment
Press Contact
For comments and referrals to experts, please contact:
Vincent Paolo Villano, Communications Manager
(O) 202-903-0112
(C) 202-631-9640
Email: vvillano@transequality.org
Tips for Journalists
Pronoun Usage
The Associated Press Style Book (2000 Edition) says:
"Use the pronoun preferred by the individuals who have acquired the physical characteristics (by hormone therapy, body modification, or surgery) of the opposite sex and present themselves in a way that does not correspond with their sex at birth. If that preference is not expressed, use the pronoun consistent with the way the individuals live publicly."
Legal Names vs. Chosen Names
As with pronouns, use the name preferred by the individual. If the preference is not expressed, use the name consistent with the way the individual has lived publicly. If necessary, refer to an individual's legal name (if different than their preferred name) once, then resume using their preferred name. Many transgender people change their first, middle or last names. Often this is accomplished through court-ordered name change, however, for various economic or legal reasons, many transgender people cannot legally change their name and must rely on legitimate common law name change or even pseudonym.