These GLAAD Guidelines are Missing One Very Important Detail…

Language: it’s an ever-evolving framework of meaning. But that doesn’t stop people from using it in completely baffling and bizarre ways!

Case in point: GLAAD’s guidance on appropriate terms to use for reporting on LGBTQ+ concerns is making the rounds this morning, and it didn’t take long for trans folks to smell a gigantic rat.

this doesn’t feel great at all. my god. https://t.co/LBvSVK8eqS

— Callie Wright (@calliegetsit) March 15, 2022

Basically, GLAAD is advising media workers not to use the phrase “trans rights” because trans rights are, in fact, human rights. Yes, agreed! However, the idea that we should avoid using the term “trans rights” is a little bit strange to say the least. Especially when a separate guidance glossary explains that we shouldn’t use the term “special rights” for the same reason.

The 11th edition of the glossary is certainly in depth, but the explanation for not using “trans rights” as a shorthand is a bit screwy, admittedly. 

this doesn’t feel great at all. my god. https://t.co/LBvSVK8eqS

— Callie Wright (@calliegetsit) March 15, 2022

Many users are being very polite about it: we all know what you were trying to say, but this did come out quite poorly.

lol i get what they’re attempting to do here but perhaps reconsider your phrasing here @glaad https://t.co/m2ZxBIsVbD

— 𝕡𝕙𝕠𝕤𝕡𝕙𝕠𝕣 𝕘𝕝𝕠𝕨 (@phosphor_glow) March 15, 2022

i get it, @glaad, i do. im not sure this is helpful tho. https://t.co/EX2smzyX4u

— SloaneGhetti (@SloaneFragment) March 15, 2022

That part:

This has strong, “All lives matter” energy.

— Old Man Milholland (@choochoobear) March 15, 2022

So I get what @glaad is _trying_ to say there, but it’s pretty fucking tone deaf. No, we are fighting for trans rights. Trans rights are human rights. You can and should say that. Thanks. https://t.co/fSbZ9GTgel

— Ada Worcester is screaming (@pikhq) March 15, 2022

Welp, starting today rather mad at @glaad. Seriously guys, YOU MIGHT WANNA RE-THINK THIS POSITION. LIKE. NOW. 😡🏳️‍⚧️ https://t.co/tjZzCrf6tc

— Boopingway, Loporrit of Much Booping (@LapinStephy) March 15, 2022

Unfortunately, this is what it’s giving:

Welp, starting today rather mad at @glaad. Seriously guys, YOU MIGHT WANNA RE-THINK THIS POSITION. LIKE. NOW. 😡🏳️‍⚧️ https://t.co/tjZzCrf6tc

— Boopingway, Loporrit of Much Booping (@LapinStephy) March 15, 2022

um, @glaad ? this is not it.

We need to *say* “trans rights” because we need trans rights to be real. https://t.co/g4CyG7sThu

— Matthew R Francis (@DrMRFrancis) March 15, 2022

Hey, @glaad? What in the everloving hell is this? We said “Gay Rights” for decades and still do (even though that erases more than half of the acronym). but “Trans Rights” is a PR problem?

You’re correct that trans rights aren’t “special” rights. #TransRightsAreHumanRights https://t.co/rBvevUkScR

— Misty Gedlinske (@MistyGedlinske) March 15, 2022

@glaad For real, we want you to say “trans rights”. We’re asking for equal rights, which in turn means you need to support the rights of trans people. How do you, an organization explicitly geared toward LGBTQ+ equality, not get that? https://t.co/T8wBtsENbp

— Stephanie R Maxwell 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ (@graygoogirl) March 15, 2022

And people wonder why I don’t trust the national orgs, like, at all. 🙄

Anyways @glaad, trans rights https://t.co/0AYn5zRAAw

— Elizabeth, gender pirate (@_woebetide_) March 15, 2022

This sums it up perfectly:

… I mean it’s true that we’re not asking for rights that are different, but that’s because we’re a little busy asking for the rights everyone else has. It’s 2022, @glaad where the fuck have you been? We’re good at advocating for ourselves, so listen when we talk. https://t.co/NrZXYdECaz

— Haunted Mistwalker 🦓 (Fey/Fem) (@MaelstromMinded) March 15, 2022

Yes, GLAAD, we are in fact seeking full equality under the law, which is why we say “Transgender rights”.

As usual, GLAAD making me hella MAAD. https://t.co/BqZ1miVCDD

— Ariel S (@galactic_ariel) March 15, 2022

See below for GLAAD’s comment:

“No, GLAAD isn’t suggesting that people “don’t say trans rights.” Of course GLAAD supports trans rights and we say it loudly, as all community members and our allies should. Indeed, trans rights are human rights.

Many trans people, inside and outside of GLAAD, wrote and reviewed this section of the Media Reference Guide. The guide is not a recommendation for how LGBTQ people should speak about ourselves, it is intended for journalists who may not realize that there are anti-LGBTQ activists who weaponize phrases like “trans rights” “gay rights” and “special rights” to falsely insinuate that we are fighting for special treatment that could harm others or that we want “more rights” than cis straight people are guaranteed. When anti-trans activists like Tucker Carlson talk about “transgender rights” they are using it as a scare tactic – we want journalists to expose such rhetorical devices. We will make sure that is clear in the guide going forward.”