GLAAD RESOURCES FOR ACCURATE AND INCLUSIVE COVERAGE OF TRANSGENDER PEOPLE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY

GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, is releasing resources to urge more accurate and inclusive coverage of transgender people leading into Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV), observed annually on March 31st.

Resources for reporters to include in their coverage of TDOV and all stories about transgender people and issues:

• New GLAAD polling data showing a majority of all voting groups oppose candidates who campaign about restricting access to health care and participation in sports for transgender youth.
• All categories of voters [poll graphics downloadable here] overwhelmingly agree that “Republicans should stop focusing on restricting women’s rights and banning medical care for transgender youth and instead focus on addressing inflation, job creation, and healthcare costs.” 94% of LGBTQ voters, 76% of registered voters, 76% of likely 2024 voters, and 82% of swing voters agree.
• Questions reporters must ask for the safety of all students following the bullying and death of teenager Nex Benedict. Nex was bullied then beaten in a school bathroom and died the next day. Oklahoma’s unaccredited medical examiner’s office released its full report on Nex’s death on March 27th.
• Stories about “Visibility” should include ways transgender people are often not seen and heard in coverage about them: A report released on March 26 by Media Matters and GLAAD found that a majority of New York Times’ articles about anti-trans legislation did not quote even one trans person. Read more here
• A new GLAAD Social Media Safety report, Unsafe: Meta Fails to Moderate Extreme Anti-trans Hate Across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads shows how Meta is failing to enforce its own policies against hate speech and extremism on its platforms, allowing unchecked extreme and disturbing anti-trans content.
• Every major medical association supports health care for transgender people. 30+ statements to quote from in your coverage, here.
• GLAAD’s Transgender Day of Visibility resource page< includes terminology, data and storytelling guidance for all media to include and cover transgender and nonbinary people accurately.
• GLAAD Media Reference Guide: terminology and 20+ In Focus sections created with experts to learn more about how to accurately and inclusively cover LGBTQ people.
• GLAAD Guía de términos y definiciones para los medios
• GLAAD Accelerating Acceptance Study shows fewer than one-third (28%) of non-LGBTQ Americans say they personally know a transgender person.
• Find and report on Transgender Day of Visibility events, programming, people and leaders in your city and state. In Atlanta, nonprofit organizations are hosting events in Grant Park. In Dallas, TX, events include Trans Empowerment Coalition observing TDOV 2024 at Flag Pole Hill Park, sponsored by AIDS United. In New Jersey, a Trans Day of Visibility celebration included a tribute to a local trans college student and panel discussions from state leaders including New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin. In Ohio, events are planned across the state through the weekend and on TDOV.
• GLAAD Media Award nominees include outstanding stories about trans people across television, film, documentaries, video games, music, and journalism. Among them, Monica, starring Trace Lysette, was awarded Outstanding Film – Limited Release.

“Transgender people and youth, like all of us, deserve to live and thrive in peace and safety. While acceptance of transgender people is increasing every year, a few fringe extremists are exploiting the ongoing lack of familiarity to spread dangerous lies and disinformation about the trans community, said GLAAD President and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis. “Ultimately, the media has a responsibility to accurately include and cover transgender people and report stories that elevate truth, understanding and awareness. Visibility has the ability to accelerate acceptance for transgender people, and it can and should be used to create a world where all can be free to be themselves to live their lives authentically.”

GLAAD Guidance for Covering Transgender People: 

BE INCLUSIVE TO BE ACCURATE: If a story is about transgender people, interview a transgender person. Trans people can also be the experts in your story. There are trans people who are experts in medicine, law and policy, education, sports, media representation, and more.

ELEVATE FACTS AND LIVED EXPERIENCE OVER OPINION: Find and include experts in health and medicine, sports, education and human rights using research and data from reputable sources over anti-LGBTQ politicians rhetoric and opinion.

BE TRUTHFUL – NOT NEUTRAL: Avoid elevating a non-expert and non-community voice in equal weight to the experts and the majority’s lived experience. 

CHALLENGE HARMFUL RHETORIC: Do not report, or report as false, claims and accusations of ‘grooming’ and ‘pedophilia’ that are not accurate, undermine understanding of actual child abuse, and endanger all LGBTQ people.

CHECK FOR AND REPORT ANTI-LGBTQ HISTORY: Coverage should include a source’s history with anti-LGBTQ groups and advocacy. The records of 200+ public figures are documented on the GLAAD Accountability Project.