LGBTQ+ journalists and celebs condemn New York Times for anti-trans bias
GLAAD leads a protest and issues demands. Will The Times ignore it? Plus: A special new video! The stars of Star Trek Picard chat with Maia Monet and yours truly
This is a special late edition for Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, Day Four of my COVID nightmare. For those unaware, I tested positive Tuesday, which was actually Day Three given that my symptoms started manifesting Monday night and apparently you start counting on your last asymptomatic day, which was Sunday. Ugh, this sucks. But I am alive, sorta. And I’ve been busy writing since I haven’t been sleeping, hard as I try.
Here Now the News
JOURNALISTS, ACTIVISTS AND CELEBS CALL OUT NYT FOR ANTI-TRANS BIAS: My in-depth report is up now at the Washington Blade and the Los Angeles Blade.
GLAAD hired a billboard truck to drive around the Manhattan headquarters of The New York Times, condemning its editorial practice of questioning trans people’s right to exist and access medical care.
It’s part of an effort launched today by a coalition of Times contributors, activists, celebrities and LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations to demand the newspaper end its biased coverage of trans Americans. Read more here.
Late this afternoon, I received an email from The Times. Charlie Stadtlander, the Director of External Communications, Newsroom, for The New York Times wrote in reply to my requests for comment:
"We received the open letter delivered by GLAAD and welcome their feedback. We understand how GLAAD and the co-signers of the letter see our coverage. But at the same time, we recognize that GLAAD’s advocacy mission and The Times’s journalistic mission are different.
“As a news organization, we pursue independent reporting on transgender issues that include profiling groundbreakers in the movement, challenges and prejudice faced by the community, and how society is grappling with debates about care.
“The very news stories criticized in their letter reported deeply and empathetically on issues of care and well-being for trans teens and adults. Our journalism strives to explore, interrogate and reflect the experiences, ideas and debates in society – to help readers understand them. Our reporting did exactly that and we’re proud of it."
I sent Mr. Statlander my thanks for his email, and asked:
“Just to be clear, in response to the three demands outlined by GLAAD, The Times says:
No.
No, and
No?
Or am I missing something?”
Also note: The Times declined to respond to a question about Mad Honey, the bestselling novel by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan. Since my story went live this afternoon, the book has climbed back into the top ten bestsellers, landing at number eight, and marking 19 weeks on the NYT’s bestsellers list! So, why hasn’t the newspaper reviewed the novel or reported on it, given its status as the most successful book ever written (or in this case, co-written) by a transgender author? Still waiting for that answer, too. Congrats, Jenny and Jodi!
Subscribe to Erin Reed’s excellent Substack, Erin In The Morning, to keep track of the attacks on the trans community here and in the U.K.
NO MOTIVE YET IN MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY KILLINGS: USA Today
MAN RUSHES AT DEFENDANT IN BUFFALO MURDERS SENTENCING HEARING: CNN
NICOLA STURGEON TO STEP DOWN AS LEADER IN SCOTLAND: NYT
FIRST MINISTER DENIES SHE’S QUITTING OVER GENDER RECOGNITION DEBATE
END OF AN ERA! WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE? — Sky News
CHARGES AGAINST REPORTER BUSTED FOR LIVE REPORT DISMISSED: WKBN-TV
TOXIC TRAIN DISASTER “PREDICTED BY NETFLIX:” The Independent
TESLA MAKES DEAL WITH WHITE HOUSE TO SHARE SUPERCHARGERS: NYT
MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: I rented a Tesla Model 3 from Hertz in Orlando last week, and it was an eye-opening experience. I loved the modern tech and comfort and that recharging from 12% back up to 95% only cost $15. I hated how you the door handles are designed, that to turn off and lock the car you had to use the key fob against the driver’s side pillar outside the car, that to activate certain functions like windshield wipers and A/C you need to navigate through the touchscreen, which I imagine could be potentially dangerous to distracted drivers, passengers and other drivers in my path. I am, regrettably, nicknamed “Crash” Ennis, but fear not: I returned my electric hot rod with nary a scratch. Would I buy one? Maybe if I won Powerball.
TESLA STOCK VALUE DROPS, AGAIN: Investors.com
FORD PAUSES PRODUCTION OF F-150 ELECTRIC PICKUP DUE TO BATTERY ISSUES: USA Today
RETAIL SALES BEAT EXPECTATIONS, RISE 3% in JANUARY: CNBC
YET ANOTHER LEAK SCRUBS PLAN TO FLY COSMONAUTS AND ASTRONAUTS HOME FROM INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION: CNN
TOO MUCH SUGAR IS BAD FOR YOU, DUH: CNN
POTENTIAL CURE FOR AUTISM? —SciTechDaily
THE NYT REPORTS ON PICARD SEASON 3, PREMIERING TOMORROW: NYT
STARS OF STAR TREK PICARD AND SHOWRUNNER TERRY MATALAS CHAT WITH MELODY MAIA MONET AND DAWN ENNIS: There are some mild spoilers ahead! —YouTube
That’s all for today. I hope to be back tomorrow with another newsletter, but I cannot promise it will be at 7 a.m., or even that I’ll be able to publish! I’m taking this day by day. Until we meet again, may your news be good news… and DON’T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN! Get vaxxed, get boosted, wear a mask!
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