Multiple University student newspapers are responding to the pair of open letters written to The New York Times concerning its damaging and biased coverage of transgender people: The Pitt News, The Independent Florida Alligator, The State Press, and The Kenyon Collegian.

The Pitt News at the University of Pittsburgh was first out of the gate with a piece on February 16, titled, “The New York Times’ coverage of transgender people is biased.”

“The New York Times’ associate managing editor Philip B. Corbett received an open letter from more than 200 contributors criticizing the coverage of transgender people as well as the lack of trans writers at the Times,” the Editorial Board writes. “….This letter is completely justified. Transgender people deserve the care and respect of journalists just as everyone else does. In a world where trans women are murdered for simply existing and lawmakers are trying to block gender-affirming care, stoking the fire of hatred by publishing pieces that dehumanize trans people is completely unacceptable. 

“Despite the criticism, The New York Times doubled down, stating that their articles were ​​written ‘deeply and empathetically.’ Following this attempted justification, a day after the letter was sent, the Times featured an opinion column defending J.K. Rowling despite her many transphobic comments. If The New York Times took the letter seriously, they would not keep giving a voice to transphobic people while not renewing the contracts with their transgender opinion columnists such as Jennifer Finney Boylan. Transgender people need to have journalistic coverage that actually explains the news rather than giving a voice to those who actively push hate.”

The Pitt News Editorial Board argues that the letter to the New York Times editor criticizing their coverage of transgender people is justified.https://t.co/W4myzQvJav

— The Pitt News (@ThePittNews) February 17, 2023

The Independent Florida Alligator at University of Florida published “New York Times wages unfair culture war on transgender community” on February 20. The piece signed by the Editorial Board describes “a shift in values from older generations of journalists to now. Rather than spending time debating the existence of groups of people or the validity of their identities, we’d much rather see coverage that accepts them as truth.” The Alligator notes its own coverage priorities as well: “Within the past few months, we have been committed to bringing attention to issues such as the gender-affirming care audit demanded by [Florida Governor Ron] DeSantis’ office, a Florida ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth and a case of discrimination against LGBTQ Micanopy residents. With every story, we aren’t making attempts at advocacy. Rather, we’re exposing the real impact of bigotry on our community. As active members of the Gainesville community, we have taken on the role to understand the outspoken issues within it.”

The Alligator concludes, “Consistently, our peers and fellow residents have called upon us to stand up, despite the outcries surrounding these decisions. Here, we choose to be intentional when framing issues that concern the identities of minority groups. We have made it a priority to fairly cover issues affecting LGBTQ members of our community and remain committed to this mission. As journalists about to enter the professional workforce, we’re hopeful that the brave decision to stand up to powerful, well-established newsroom editors will effect change within the NYT. Advocacy isn’t our prerogative. Fair, honest coverage is.

EDITORIAL: “With every story, we aren’t making attempts at advocacy. Rather, we’re exposing the real impact of bigotry on our community.”https://t.co/wGcQVNRH2t

— The Alligator (@TheAlligator) February 20, 2023

The State Press from Arizona State University published “Letter from the magazine editors: It’s time for the University to divest from the New York Times” on February 21, claiming solidarity with the letters’ signatories and then going further and calling for an end to “the University’s institutional subscription to The New York Times immediately.”

The piece, signed and co-signed by 37 editors and staff of The State Press and State Press Magazine, continues, “We believe now is an appropriate time for ASU—and other universities—to divest from The New York Times and encourage the paper to correct its editorial bias in regards to coverage of trans and gender-diverse individuals.”

The editors of SPM are asking @ASU to drop its subscription to the Times following an open letter from Times contributors raising concerns about the publication’s biased coverage of trans & gender nonconforming people & communities.

Read the letter here: https://t.co/QJLUew6HUv

— State Press Magazine (@statepressmag) February 21, 2023

The State Press also challenged the Times’ public response writing, “There are members of this publication who are queer and navigate a political reality that is, in part, shaped by the rhetoric disseminated in the Times, which can seep into local journalism as well. We have family, friends and fellow State Press Magazine staff members who are trans and gender-diverse. We are highly concerned with the New York Times’ coverage of LGBTQ+ people, sources and issues at a time of escalating homophobic and transphobic legislation and violence in the U.S. As student journalists, we take the editorial standard of minimizing harm—enshrined in the Society of Professional Journalists’ code of ethics—extremely seriously. When The New York Times’ coverage of trans individuals is used to justify discriminatory anti-LGBTQ+ legislation being enacted across the country, it is clear that the paper has failed to uphold this core ethical principle.”

The Kenyon Collegian, serving Kenyon College in Ohio, published “Staff Editorial: New York Times must be accountable” on February 23: “The Collegian stands with the writers and organizations condemning The New York Times’ reporting, and we encourage everyone to sign on to the [Times contributors] letter here.” The Collegian letter, signed by the co-editors-in-chief and the executive editor, continues, “Journalism matters. Sourcing matters. Uncritically quoting so-called experts without revealing their positions and politics is not unbiased reporting and should not be treated as such. And this is not harmless: as the open letter makes clear, this coverage has been weaponized in efforts to restrict trans rights in the courts and in state houses. It’s not only hateful and irresponsible to treat these viewpoints with equal weight—it’s dangerous. At the bare minimum, the Times should heed the demands presented in the letter. Hire more trans contributors and editors, and cease the harmful reporting practices it has engaged in. At the Collegian, we are committed to honest reporting. Good reporting shows the whole story, announces any potential bias of sources and does not do harm to already marginalized communities. All news organizations should endeavor towards this standard.”

In response to the record-high number of anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in legislatures across the country, GLAAD recently published the GLAAD Media Guide: State Legislation About LGBTQ People, including facts, context, and resources to journalists in pursuit of fair and accurate reporting, particularly on legislation that is proposed without evidence and against the expertise of medical, educational, and human rights professionals that would have negative effects on the dignity, equality, and physical wellbeing of LGBTQ people. 

These student outlets are engaging in best practices by including the voices of the community being covered, including transgender and nonbinary people on staff, elevating facts, including context about anti-LGBTQ sources, and recognizing the humanity and existence of trans people in their communities.

About GLAAD: GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love.