The Associated Press, the authors of the AP Style Book, have issued what can only be labeled a double standard. They have informed journalists everywhere that we should not refer to homosexual couples as husband and wife, but for heterosexual couples it is still okay.
As a journalism student, the AP Stylebook has been shoved down my throat, so how am I to take this new “guideline?” I was not even aware it was an issue. I assumed if someone was married, they were husband and wife, husband and husband, or wife and wife. I even heard some unmarried couples refer to each other as such.
In a memo responding to questions about how to address the issue, AP editors said, “We were asked how to report about same-sex couples who call themselves ‘husband’ and ‘wife.’ Our view is that such terms may be used in AP stories with attribution. Generally AP uses couples or partners to describe people in civil unions or same-sex marriages.”
Attribution saves a lot of heartache in the journalism world. Quoting what other people say, even if the journalist agrees protects him or her from appearing biased. If the journalist did not say it, then it is okay. Sure. We can ask the couple what they prefer, but is attribution really necessary?
We use language as a gauge to determine a person’s status in society. If everyone in our country is to be truly equal, we need to stop and think about what the words we say imply. Our language is so androcentric these days that it almost seems like simply opening our mouths or putting pen to paper pits one group against another.
By creating this guideline the editors at AP are effectively stating that gay and lesbian couples will never be equal to those of a heterosexual nature.
People might wonder why someone like me, a straight female who is not in any kind of relationship, would have such a problem with this.
It’s really quite simple. I am a strong advocate for equal rights for the LGBT community, including the right to be married. I feel like the language we use, and how our words are interpreted, is especially important in the fight for equality. Simply by singling out those who are happily married and gay—yes, Wyoming, in some states, it is legal—and saying journalist can’t call them husband and husband or wife and wife (or whatever they prefer) sends such a mixed signal and I get confused.
Also as a person who has several friends who just happen to be gay or lesbian, I almost feel like it is my duty to protect them from the meanies out there who persecute and bully them. So, when the people who set the standards for journalists everywhere become the meanies, what is a girl to do? I would ask the LGBT community what they think is appropriate. The answer may not be the same for everyone, but as least by asking and learning how they feel, we, as journalists, will only be offending a small number of people instead of alienating an entire group.
