The Associated Press Stylebook sets a fairly helpful standard for media coverage of transgender subjects. According to the AP “sex changes” entry, reporters are to:

Use the pronoun preferred by the individuals who have acquired the physical characteristics (by hormone therapy, body modification, or surgery) of the opposite sex and present themselves in a way that does not correspond with their sex at birth. If that preference is not expressed, use the pronoun consistent with the way the individuals live publicly.

So why does Jessie L. Bonner’s recent AP profile of transgender mayoral candidate Melissa Sue Robinson keep zig-zagging between male and female pronouns? Robinson has acquired female physical characteristics, and prefers the female pronoun. And yet, Bonner’s story refers to Robinson with female signifiers (she, her) 17 times, and male signifiers (he, him, his) six times.

Read More “How the AP Stylebook Fails Transgender Subjects” »

On July 3, Alaska Gov. Sara Palin announced her impending resignation from the Governor’s seat, citing “a higher calling.” In the wake of the announcement, Palin hasn’t demonstrated much interest in unsolicited advice from newspapers, bloggers, and Tweeters. But with all of the contiguous United States now at her fingertips, Palin could use our help more than ever. As Anne Applebaum wrote in today’s Washington Post: “what is that higher calling? If you don’t tell us, we have to guess—or make jokes about it.”

Weighing the pros, cons, and probabilities of our best guesses for Palin’s next steps, after the jump.

Read More “Sarah Palin’s Next Move” »

I’ve written a lot recently on who can successfully tell a rape joke and what targets are fair game for the butts of those jokes. One perennial source of rape humor, the Onion, gets the rape joke dynamic right a lot of the time. The format has a lot to do it: as America’s leading source of fake news, the Onion is always skewering the media along with its make-believe subjects, and media treatment of sexual violence is often ripe for satire. Sometimes, its best and worst shots, after the jump.

Read More “The Onion’s Best and Worst Rape Jokes” »

And all I know so far is that they want me to pay for it. Ms. Magazine has announced its intentions to open a Washington bureau, in the form of a standard fundraising missive. Let’s take a look at Ms.’s plans:

Dear [Possible Donor],

Feminists have an unprecedented opportunity to move forward. At this transformational time in history, Ms. is determined to be on the frontlines, keeping feminists armed with the knowledge we need at this historic time.

Ms. is opening for the first time a Washington Bureau—and we need your help. [Link to page suggesting a donation of $35 to $5,000, by Visa, Mastercard, or American Express to help open Washington Bureau].

Read More “Ms. Magazine Considers Washington Bureau” »

Did the MSM leave Melissa in the dark?

The media’s short-shrifting of gay inaugural events didn’t stop at Rev. Gene Robinson’s untelevised prayer at Sunday’s Lincoln Memorial concert, says AMERICAblog’s John Aravosis.

“There seemed to be a dearth of coverage about the gay and lesbian side of the inaugural festivities. Our readers reported that a number of networks oddly cut away from the inaugural parade the moment the gay band showed up,” he writes.* “And not much mention of the gay ball the Human Rights Campaign held Tuesday night.”

Read More “Did the Media Black Out Gay Inauguration Celebrations?” »

Week one of the Manliest Workplace in D.C. competition has come to a close. Let’s recap the standings in the media bracket (first-round winners in bold):

Game 1: Washington Times, 52; Washingtonian, 17
Game 2: Congressional Quarterly, 40; Washington Post, 46
Game 3: El Pregonero, 48; USA TODAY, 50
Game 4: Washington City Paper, 36; Washington Blade, 45

In a non-stunning victory, first-seed media outlet the Washington Times proves it’s the manliest of D.C.’s news orgs. The daily will continue on to our elite eight contest to face off against the manliest of D.C.’s law firms, cultural institutions, and government workplaces.

For those filling out the bracket at home, here’s the complete media contest:

Next week, we see how D.C.’s cultural institutions measure up. WIll the Washington Redskins out-man the National Museum of Women in the Arts*? Will the Founding Church of Scientology muscle out the Smithsonian? Only our unscientific algorithm knows for sure.

* affirmative action notice: score adjusted for traditionally female institution