Trans people have become a major focus of political discussion in recent years, and as candidates across the political spectrum run anti-trans ads, the work of trans journalists is crucial. But several trans journalists spoke out recently about the danger inherent in their work in interviews with H Conley for the Columbia Journalism Review.
“I do not know a transgender journalist who hasn’t faced harassment, abuse, or violent threats, and my experience is no exception,” said Erin Reed, independent journalist and founder of Erin in the Morning. “I’ve been the target of multiple swatting attempts and regularly receive threatening messages across my platforms.
Related
Reporting in the field or interviewing people for features can be a challenge, sometimes leading to journalists hiding a part of themselves or not having social media presences, which can be a particular challenge for independent trans journalists who need a way to get eyes on their stories.
Nour Abi-Nakhoul from Montreal said she is “largely stealth in the course of reporting.”
Insights for the LGBTQ+ community
Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more.
“I do not disclose to sources that I am transgender unless relevant—for example, interviewing another trans person. This is a privilege that not all trans people have.”
There are ways to mitigate danger in-person and online. Orion Rummler of The 19th has to consider security briefings before in-person interviews and reporting on crowds. He’s fortunate to have that resource, which is not always an option for independent journalists.
Lewis Raven Wallace says ze has to have frank conversations about their safety, “Navigating public space has always been complicated for me, whether that’s public restrooms, traveling, going through the airport… I think the best thing news directors and managers can do is just have really honest and frank conversations with folks about safety and ask people what they need.”
While those dangers are all present, it’s still important for trans people to do this work and tell our community’s stories. As Tre’vell Anderson, executive director for the Trans Journalists Association, pointed out, there’s a knee-jerk reaction to sideline trans people for their own safety, without consulting them first.
“What we often find in this industry is that folks believe that the way to protect and support those of us from diverse backgrounds is to push us to the side,” they tell Conley. “They think they’re protecting us by not assigning us to the protest. But I wanted to be at the protest so I could be part of documenting this shift in culture that we were witnessing. I want to be there, and also I want my newsroom to check in with me after I come back. I want to be asked if I need a mental-health day because I was just verbally assaulted in public.”
Trans journalists face challenges because of their identites from the outside world they’re reporting on, but also from their own workplaces. For independent journalists like Reed, that can mean going above and beyond in online security to keep herself safe. But for trans journalists working in newsrooms, the challenges can be insidious.
Ray Hobbs, a freelance journalist from Pennsylvania, spoke about working in a Philly newsroom on a vertical about identity, disability, accessibility, and queer issues. They and their lead editor “always felt like our section wasn’t treated the same as other sections of the paper. The top editors didn’t give us any resources or as many writers, but also nitpicked everything in our stories that they didn’t know anything about.”
Conley noted that many newsrooms are less likely to approve trans stories when they’re pitched by trans journalists.
While the concerns for public and online safety is fairly universal among trans people, journalists or not, there are supportive newsrooms out there. But they must work hard to support marginalized reporting and to challenge subconscious bias.
Giselle Medina of Fresnoland said their newsroom is surprisingly supportive. “I’ve heard horror stories from fellow queer journalists about being harassed in the newsroom, or not being taken seriously. I had a shield up especially because I’m in Fresno, California, which is the reddest part of the state.”
There’s a growing number of trans journalists across the mediascape, but they’re fighting an uphill battle both out on the street and in the newsroom to be heard and to be safe.
Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.