Coverage of a domestic
partnership bill approved Sunday by the Nevada Legislature over the
objections of Governor Jim Gibbons hits close to a homophobic
nerve.
Several instances suggest reporters in
the Las Vegas area were feeling uncomfortable with covering the
subject of gay and lesbian rights.
In a Las Vegas Sun story openly
gay state Senator David Parks is referred to as “a gay.”
The story, titled Senate Overrides
Governor's Veto of Domestic Partner's Bill and written by Cy
Ryan, appeared on the Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper's website on
Saturday.
The phraseology, while representative
of an Archie Bunker mentality, is not homophobic on its face, openly
gay Connecticut Representative Jason Barlett told On Top Magazine.
“Many folks are not really
comfortable discussing gay issues or talking about gay, lesbian,
bisexual or transgender people,” the Democrat said in an email
Sunday. “But many of these people are evolving and wanting to be
understanding and more enlightened when it comes to GLBT issues.”
Such phrasing suggests to the reader
that a gay or lesbian person is a member of a group, such as a
Republican, a Mormon, or a Boy Scout, and hence an allegiance easily
cast aside.
Gay rights opponents often argue that
being gay is a choice – a lifestyle – and as such undeserving of
protections or expanded rights.
When asked about the language, Ryan
simply answered: “Because Parks is a gay and open about it. He
apparently is the only one in the Legislature.”
A second article appearing in the Las
Vegas Review-Journal was a bit more overt.
In the May 16 story
STATE ASSEMBLY: Domestic Partner Bill Advances reporter Ed
Vogel referred to Parks as “the only admitted homosexual member of
the Legislature.”
The New York Times style guide
warns reporters not to use such offensive language as “admitted
homosexual” which suggests “a criminality or shame.”
Additionally, The Associated Press
suggests writers avoid the use of homosexual except “in clinical
contexts or references to sexual activity.”
Whether the lexicon used in both
articles hints at covert homophobia or is merely a symptom of
unfamiliarity with gay and lesbian issues by these Las Vegas
reporters might depend on future coverage of the domestic partnership
debate.
In 2005, the Sun and
Review-Journal entered into a joint operating agreement, but
remain independent. The Sun was founded in 1950 by Hank
Greenspun, who served as its editor until his death.
Greenspun, ironically, is best know for
his 1952 attempt to out Senator Joseph McCarthy as gay in the pages
of the Sun. McCarthy responded by marrying the next year.