The words we use have to change — making LGBTQ language inclusive
By Hannah Barling
“The people who have the power to move the language forward are here at this conference,” said Sarah Grey, editor and owner of Grey Editing LLC and leader of today’s LGBTQ Language session.
The session was dialogue focused, which correlates perfectly with the belief that the current LGBTQ language is marginalized and that we should rethink how we view the language. A point that people kept mentioning was we should talk about the appropriate ways to cover LGBTQ-related stories with our newsrooms now before we encounter a problem so we are educated and prepared.
A few highlights from the session:
- Ask what pronouns a source prefers and respect “non-traditional” pronouns
- Avoid the traditional trans narrative
- Ask your interviewee what other identities are important to them
- Avoid prescriptive grammar
- Rethink how you view the language
As journalists, we are the people who decide how language is used. In order to create an inclusive community, how to properly use LGBTQ language should be a continuous conversation.
If we tackle these issues at the forefront then our newsrooms will be more educated on the subject and ready to ask the tough questions because they will be conscious of these situations.
Lauren Klinger, from the Poynter Institute, summed up her thoughts on LGBTQ language by telling us to not be afraid to ask a lot of questions. If you want to be kind and fair then don’t be afraid to say the wrong thing.
“Reach out to people who have gone before you and made those mistakes to avoid them,” Klinger said. “You’re in this room, you care, be that resource for others now.”
