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Open Letter From National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association to the News Industry Regarding Lance Bass’ ‘Coming Out’
7/26/2006 3:10:00 PM
To: National Desk
Contact: Eric Hegedus, 215-840-3909 (cell) or eric@nlgjaleaders.org, or Tom Avila, 202-588-9888 ext. 17 or 202-906-9885 (cell) or tavila@nlgja.org
WASHINGTON, July 26 /U.S. Newswire/ — The following is an open letter from the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association to the news industry regarding Lance Bass’ “coming out”:
Dear Colleagues:
This week, many reporters will write stories about the public “coming out” of musician Lance Bass, the ?N Sync band member who discusses his sexual orientation in the latest issue of People magazine.
Over the past year, such celebrities as WNBA star Sheryl Swoopes and “Star Trek” actor George Takei also came out, bringing substantial coverage to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues. As similar stories are filed and produced in the future, the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA) encourages reporters and other journalists, bloggers, columnists and media analysts to keep in mind the following recommendations for fair and accurate reporting of LGBT people:
The term “gay” is the preferred adjective that has largely replaced “homosexual” in referring to men who are sexually and affectionally attracted to other men. “Homosexual” should be used only if “heterosexual” would be used in parallel constructions, such as in medical contexts.