Word choice in transgender article was carefully considered
Our series about Transgender Awareness Week (parts one and two) ended with a profile about Emily Colvin, a student in the process of transitioning to female.
The profile opened with Colvin's father asking Colvin, who then identified as male, if he was a "faggot."
The National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association has this to say about the word faggot: Originally a pejorative term for a gay male, it is now being reclaimed by some gay men. Caution: still extremely offensive when used as an epithet.
While we do not take the use of this word lightly, writer Josh Barone and I both thought it was necessary to convey some of what Colvin went through in the process of coming out as transgender.
What do you think about this usage?
Comments (0)
Post a comment
