GLAAD releases guide for journalists reporting on LGBT issues in South Carolina

NEW YORK, NY – GLAAD, the nation's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LBGT) media advocacy organization, today released Southern Stories: A Guide for Reporting on LGBT People in South Carolina. This media guide comes after GLAAD's Accelerating Acceptance report showed that 61% of American southerners show discomfort towards the LGBT community, and it will serve as a resource for journalists and media organizations in South Carolina reporting on the LGBT community.

The guide contains both triumphant and tragic story leads, a glossary of terms and definitions frequently used in reporting, offensive terms to avoid, and common pitfalls. It also includes a timeline outlining South Carolina's history on LGBT issues from 1982 to today.

"In South Carolina, acceptance of the LGBT community is making sure and steady progress, but the work is far from done," said South Carolina native and GLAAD Vice President of Programs Zeke Stokes. "This guide will serve as a useful tool for the media as it works effectively to share stories from LGBT people so that all South Carolinians can live the lives they love."

Despite the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic marriage equality ruling, there is still much work to be done to achieve full LGBT equality and acceptance in the Palmetto State. Many counties in South Carolina do not have laws protecting members of the LGBT community from employment discrimination. Furthermore, transgender people living in South Carolina are not guaranteed necessary medical care, while people living with HIV or AIDS in the state can face up to 10 years in prison for nondisclosure of their status, which has had unforeseen consequences for the South Carolinian HIV-positive community.

The new guide is part of GLAAD's U.S. South initiative, which aims to positively showcase the lives of, and build acceptance for, the LGBT community in southern states. This is done through sharing the stories of people from a wide array of backgrounds, including faith-based organizations, sports teams, military personnel, and more. GLAAD will continue to work with the South Carolinian media to ensure positive portrayal of the LGBT community in the Palmetto State.