Reporting on the LGBTQ+ community can be challenging, rewarding, and impactful. However, it also requires sensitivity, accuracy, and inclusivity. Here are some tips on how to cover LGBTQ+ issues and stories in a respectful and ethical way.
The LGBTQ+ acronym stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and more. It is an umbrella term that encompasses diverse identities and expressions of sexuality and gender. However, not everyone identifies with or uses the same labels or definitions. Some people prefer other terms, such as pansexual, non-binary, genderqueer, asexual, or intersex. Some people reject labels altogether. As a journalist, you should familiarize yourself with the meanings and nuances of different terms, and use them appropriately and consistently. You should also respect the preferences and pronouns of the people you interview and report on, and avoid outdated, offensive, or inaccurate language.
Please note that currently, "preferred" is not generally used in terms of pronouns. You can ask, "Do you have specific pronouns you'd like me to use?" And in some cases, people won't be comfortable disclosing their pronouns because it puts them at risk.
Inclure les partenaires associatives (non-LGBTQI+) dans nos différentes missions. En créant un réseau de sensibilisation et de formation .
Try to understand and keep up with the what can often feel like an ever expanding vocabulary. Research and use reliable sources. From my perspective I am pretty unoffendable and would prefer someone asked a direct question or wrote an article challenging a set view than kept quiet in case they offend someone.
Use preferred gender pronouns, avoid outdated labels, and seek guidance from community members. Embrace diverse voices, share personal stories, and foster cultural competence to ensure a nuanced and respectful portrayal.
Pour ne faire aucune différence et pour suivre une démarche inclusive (LGBTQ+, ce n'est pas écrit sur un front), n'hésitons pas à demander à chaque personne et sans sélection, si cette dernière souhaite utiliser un pronom particulier. = "Souhaitez vous que j'utilise un pronom spécifique pendant notre échange ?"
LGBTQ+ people are not a monolithic group. They have different backgrounds, experiences, opinions, and perspectives. They are not defined by their sexuality or gender identity alone. They are also not homogeneous in their political views, religious beliefs, cultural practices, or social issues. As a journalist, you should avoid generalizing, stereotyping, or making assumptions about LGBTQ+ people or communities. You should also avoid sensationalizing, exoticizing, or tokenizing LGBTQ+ stories or voices. Instead, you should seek to portray LGBTQ+ people as complex, diverse, and human.
A trans colleague once told me, “if you’ve met one trans person, you’ve met ONE trans person.” I keep this in mind whenever sharing stories in this space. It’s always best to get multiple perspectives to ensure you’re painting the most accurate picture — and to consider intersectionality… a white LGBTQ+ person’s experience will no doubt differ from someone who is also a person of colour, a person with disability and so on.
Excellent tips and pointers. I'd add to this one simple reminder. Just because someone might be a member of the LGBTQ+ community because of who they are, doesn't mean they 'choose' to be a member. My favorite anonymous quote "I am not transgender by choice, I just want to be myself". He is a man/woman first, maybe its not accurate to refer to an individual as a "LGBTQ+ [whatever]".
Les stéréotypes sont inévitables car il s’agit du mode de fonctionnement de notre cerveau. Ils représentent des images figées, de l’ordre de la croyance et de la simplification de la réalité. Le premier travail à faire est de prendre conscience de nos propres stéréotypes, les comprendre puis les déconstruire pour ainsi supprimer nos préjugés. Si un fait, une situation, une personne ou encore un comportement nous gênent, posons nous la question du pourquoi. L'inclusivité passe par sa propre remise en question.
The most important point to a healthy human interaction in any community is avoiding assumptions and stereotypes. Communication with respect is key to acheive this. Find a safe forum where to ask questions and get informed before making assumptions (this is 2024, a proper Google search will do) once you have the information, use it to approach the community with respect. We are all human beings deserving of respect and peace and love. This is the starting point.
Excellent points and to add on, sexual orientation is just dimension. People are multi-faceted and applying an ‘intersectional’ lens (gender, race/ethnicity, age, nationality etc) or approach will allow us to better understand everyone’s lived experiences.
LGBTQ+ issues and stories often involve legal, medical, historical, or scientific aspects that require careful research and fact-checking. As a journalist, you should verify your sources, data, and information, and avoid spreading misinformation, myths, or misconceptions. You should also acknowledge the gaps, limitations, or controversies in your knowledge or evidence, and avoid making claims or conclusions that are not supported by facts. You should also cite your sources and references, and provide context and background for your readers.
One thing I found helpful is to read the fine print of the local law. It’s important not to accept blanket statements and to rather check the law regarding what exactly is defined as ?illegal‘.
While this is true, data sources and studies in some parts of the world on LGBTQ+ population are scarce. According to ILGA.org, there are still 70 counties in the world which deem homosexuality to be illegal or have limited protection. This makes it unsafe for this community to live openly.
If you are researching historical events, it may be possible to get this from internet sources. But there is so much misinformation and biased information about the LGBTQ+ community. Please go to someone who specialises in queer history or someone from the community who knows the history. Many governments have very little data on the LGBTQ+ community.
LGBTQ+ issues and stories are not only relevant during Pride Month or when there is a major event or controversy. They are part of everyday life and society, and deserve ongoing and diverse coverage and representation. As a journalist, you should strive to include LGBTQ+ perspectives and voices in your reporting, not only as sources or subjects, but also as experts, commentators, or contributors. You should also seek to cover a range of topics and angles that reflect the realities and interests of LGBTQ+ people and communities, and avoid focusing only on negative or sensational stories.
Not by accident my book on DEI is titled ?The Other 364 Days‘! Too often initiatives are limited to one day or month per year. IWD in March and Pride Month being the key examples. To drive lasting positive change, the other 364 days of the year need to be activated.
If you are not a member of the LGBTQ+ community, but are writing material about it. You must run it by someone from the LGBTQ+ community, you can't run a story about a community that you are not a part of and have had no input from.
LGBTQ+ issues and stories often involve personal, sensitive, or controversial matters that require ethical and respectful journalism. As a journalist, you should follow the principles and standards of your profession, such as accuracy, fairness, balance, independence, accountability, and public interest. You should also respect the privacy, dignity, safety, and consent of the people you interview and report on, and avoid outing, harassing, or exploiting them. You should also be aware of your own biases, prejudices, or privileges, and challenge them when necessary.
LGBTQ+ people are people. All with feelings and emotions, just because the topic is 'controversial', this does not mean they should be treat with any less respect.
Aussi, je trouve intéressant de considérer la normalité comme individuelle. Chaque vision est différente. Ce n’est pas parce que nous ne comprenons pas un sujet que ce dernier est dissemblable ou atypique. à l’inverse, ce n’est pas parce qu’un sujet nous est familier que nos comportements doivent être différents des autres. Il est primordial de prendre le recul nécessaire pour faire abstraction de tout préjugé (négatif ou positif) qui viendraient influencer nos interviews et y apporter de mauvaises conclusions.
LGBTQ+ issues and stories are constantly evolving and changing, and so is the language and culture around them. As a journalist, you should not assume that you know everything or that you are always right. You should be open to learning, listening, and improving your skills and knowledge. You should seek feedback and advice from LGBTQ+ people and organizations, as well as from your colleagues, editors, and audience. You should also acknowledge and correct your mistakes, and apologize when appropriate. You should also celebrate and support the achievements and contributions of LGBTQ+ journalists and media.
In my experience, one can be an ally to amplify the voices of the unheard. It’s not the same as speaking on their behalf but rather to create space for this community so that their voices are heard.
Be a member of the LGBTQIA+ population. Just because you’re lesbian, for example, doesn’t make you an expert in trans or gay topics, but you have at least some frame of reference from which to draw upon and credibility built-in due to lived experience.
As CDO, consider applying the so called ?embassy model‘. A safe space to protect the rights of employees globally within the walls of your organization.