In this week's City Paper, WTAE defends their coverage of a story involving the river rescue of a woman who happened to be trans.  They, along with just about every other local media outlet, were taken to task by local activists and allies for making the gender identity of the individual being rescued the story in lieu of the rescue itself.   In WTAE's case:

Over at WTAE, Janelle Hall reported: "The waters of the Allegheny started to rise and trapped that person. Ninety minutes into the rescue, paramedics pulled a 27-year-old transgender woman to safety."

Setting aside how incredibly stilted that sounds, I fail to see why the fact that Rebecca Hare was a transwoman had any bearing on her rescue.

Here's how WTAE's Roberta Petterson responds.

We came up with a plan aimed specifically at not sensationalizing the story and we executed that plan. In hindsight, we could have done some things differently, like edit some of the soundbites with rescuers, but we felt they helped tell a more complete story. Overall, our primary concern was finding a way to tell the story without focusing on Hare's "trans-ness," to use a quote from the University of Pittsburgh professor cited in your story.

Petterson fails to explain how the fact that Rebecca is a transwoman tells a complete story.  I don't believe WTAE contextualized her plight as a result of her identity as a transwoman.  In fact, Petterson clearly states that they didn't even interview Rebecca.  I haven't noted any follow up investigations on the plight of transwomen and transmen who are homeless in Pittsburgh.  What complete story did they tell? 

Each evening, the local news stations report on rescues and I have yet to see anyone identified as a "27 year old heterosexual, biological female" unless it has any direct relevance to the story.  Believe me.  I would notice any aberration from the "business as usual" coverage that presumes every yinzer and yinzerette in da burgh is straight as an arrow until it become sensational to drag out the stereotypical homo interviewees, ie. wealthy white gay men.

I like Roberta, but I still think WTAE dropped the ball on this story.  If they had simply reported on a story about a woman trapped in rising rivers, that would be fine.  The media created the story within the story. It doesn't matter how much effort you put into the decision -- Hall's report was flawed.  Rather than get defensive, it would behoove them to reach out to local advocates and experts to make sure it doesn't happen again.  Reach out to Persad and the GLCC and, yes, to the University of Pittsburgh professor quoted in the story (who happens to be a nationally renowned transadvocate). 

Hopefully, WTAE and other local media outlets will more forward as we gear up for PrideFest and focus on providing some LGBT-positive coverage for the planned festivities.  I know the temptation to highlight the stereotypes will be there, but surely a portion of the coverage could show some transpositive images as well.  Here's hoping.

Yoi.  Ledcat caught the story on her way out the door this morning.  God rest his soul. 

There's a much loved family connection to Myron Cope.  My great-grandfather, Gil Remley, was the sports editor for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (and the business manager for the Homestead Grays).  Family lore has that he gave Myron his first job in the print media.  Myron's book "Double Yoi!" tells the story a bit differently, but does include a shout out to Da.

I met Myron at a work dinner speech function thing.  I told him I was Gil Remley's great-granddaughter and he laughed uproariously.  I hoped he would spontaneously offer me Steeler tickets, but alas no. 

I wonder what he would think about my association with John McIntire?

Rest in peace.

What a week.  I'm supposed to be on vacation.  So far, I've spent 8 hours in the ER with my grandma, 4 more hours in a skilled care facility (she's going to be fine).  I've had contractors zipping, sawing and hammering away for about 16 hours.  I spent 12 hours christening our new bathroom due to a very unpleasant encounter with a smoothie.  Then I spent another 16 hours asleep.  On top of the stuff we moved out from the room with the contractors.  I've spent at least 100 zillion hours on the telephone with various family member, the skilled care facility, home health care, the bank, and anyone else you can think of.  Literally, I'm on the cell phone and my home phone rings or vice versa.  I'm exhausted.  It is Wednesday.

I need to get back to work to get some rest. 

From today's Post-Gazette:

A Presbyterian minister whose 2006 church trial for conducting a lesbian marriage ceremony ended with dismissal on a technicality says she has again been brought up on the same charges.

The Rev. Janet Edwards, parish associate at the inter-denominational Community of Reconciliation in Oakland, said that an investigating committee of Pittsburgh Presbytery informed her Monday that it will pursue the case against her for the 2005 ceremony.

The Rev. Doug Portz, acting pastor to Pittsburgh Presbytery, said he was not allowed to discuss church trials.

The Presbyterian Church (USA) says clergy may bless same-sex couples only if the ritual cannot be mistaken for a marriage ceremony. But Rev. Edwards has never denied that she conducted a marriage ceremony.

"I believe with my whole heart that my decision to perform Nancy [Cole] and Brenda's [McConn] wedding was faithful to my pastoral call," she said.

This was not unexpected.  As we reported in early march, a formal complaint had been issued or reissued one might say. Last time around, the charges against Edwards went nowhere based on technicalities.  Persistent anti-gay forces within the church have soldiered on, determined to pin the church down on gay issues.  See here for previous coverage on this.

In honor of my new friend Kris Rust, here's a look at what some prominent queers are saying about their support for Obama.  It is an interesting read.  But note that all three interviewees are men. 

I"m still looking for input from lesbian Obama supporters.