Response to the New York Times’ reply to a letter from 1,200+ of their own contributors expressing concern about the outlet’s coverage of transgender people

Today, GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, is responding to the New York Times’ reply to a letter from 1,200+ of their own contributors expressing concern about the outlet’s coverage of transgender people. Note that this letter from contributors was sent to the Times on February 15. Also on February 15, a coalition of 100+ organizations and leaders, including GLAAD, sent a separate letter outlining similar concerns with the outlet’s coverage of trans people. The coalition from 100+ organizations and leaders has not heard back directly from the Times in regards to their letter. As reported in the media, the New York Times has responded directly from the 1,200+ contributors in regards to their letter.

Statement from Sarah Kate Ellis, President & CEO of GLAAD
“The New York Times has not yet responded directly to the coalition of 100+ organizations and leaders who called out biased, irresponsible Times coverage. And it has taken the New York Times more than two weeks to finally acknowledge its own contributors who thoughtfully expressed accurate and specific critique of the Times’ coverage of transgender people.

This response continues to fail these colleagues, all Times’ readers, and the trans community. Unfortunately, the Times’ response to its contributors repeats tired talking points that continue to show an ongoing lack of serious reflection to address the specific critiques and the pattern of ongoing journalistic errors in its prominent coverage. It also failed to acknowledge how these errors and failures have been used to further target trans people.

The Times, at every turn, won’t confront how they are wrong: it is inaccurate storytelling to not inform readers of sources and interviewees’ history of targeting trans people. It is inaccurate to equate medical experts and decades of research to anti-LGBTQ lawmaker opinion. It is inaccurate storytelling to indicate rare cases as the wide norm over the preponderance of evidence and lived experience of the vast majority of trans people. All stories about transgender people suffer when their voices are not included.

Our coalition has, to date, not yet received a direct response to the letter we sent from 100+ orgs and leaders. Our coalition asks remain the same: (1) stop the biased stories, (2) meet with leaders from the trans community, and (3) hire trans writers and editors.”