How major outlets silenced the very people affected by policy decisions
When the White House decides to talk about transgender rights, you'd think journalists would, I don't know, actually talk to transgender people? I ,
, am a Trans Woman and Im here writing all this shit and doing the work, did they ask me? No. , she is out there doing the hard work. Did they ask her? I doubt it. Evan Urquhart of Assigned Media is out there. Did they ask Evan? I doubt it. So a damning new report from GLAAD shows just how spectacularly mainstream media is failing at this basic fucking journalism.
Let me be crystal clear: this isn't just sloppy reporting—it's journalistic malpractice that has real consequences for real people. When media outlets publish stories about policies affecting transgender Americans without including their voices, they're essentially saying those voices don't matter.
The Numbers Don't Lie, and They're Infuriating
GLAAD analyzed 35 first-day stories from six major media outlets, and the results are a shit show of exclusion:
Only 13 of 35 stories bothered to include even a single quote from a transgender person. Think about that—in stories ABOUT transgender people, 63% had zero trans voices. What the actual hell?
And it gets worse. Of the 22 stories that excluded transgender voices, 17 didn't even include quotes from ANY LGBTQ person or organization. So who exactly were they talking to?
Meanwhile, these same outlets had no problem quoting anonymous "White House officials" discussing policies that would restrict transgender rights. Four stories featured these nameless bureaucrats, while only ONE story across all 35 bothered to quote a White House staff member by name.
Who Gets to Be an "Expert"?
Just 7 of the 35 stories included quotes from professionals with relevant experience on the topics being discussed. Seven. Out of thirty-five.
This isn't just bad journalism—it's dangerous. When media outlets frame discussions about transgender rights without including transgender voices or relevant experts, they're essentially letting anti-trans talking points go unchallenged.
Only 6 of the 13 stories that did include a transgender person also provided facts and context to counter White House rhetoric. That means even when trans people are included, nearly half the time their quotes are just dropped in without the supporting facts needed to counter harmful narratives.
Representation in Newsrooms Matters, Dammit
Here's where it gets interesting—and proves what many have been saying for years. Media outlets with out LGBTQ reporters, journalists who have relationships with LGBTQ advocacy groups, and newsrooms with dedicated diversity coverage units were significantly more likely to include transgender voices and provide accurate context.
In other words, diverse newsrooms produce better, more accurate journalism. Shocking, right? (Not shocking at all.)
Why This Matters Beyond the Headlines
First-day stories have far greater reach than any follow-up coverage. These initial reports shape public understanding and set the tone for how issues are discussed. When these stories exclude transgender voices, they're effectively erasing them from the public conversation.
This isn't just about "both sides" journalism—it's about basic accuracy and context. Stories about policies affecting transgender people that don't include transgender perspectives are fundamentally incomplete.
What Needs to Change
Media outlets need to get their shit together, fast. This means:
Actively seeking out transgender sources for stories about transgender issues
Providing proper context and fact-checking for claims made by government officials
Hiring and supporting LGBTQ journalists
Developing relationships with LGBTQ advocacy organizations
Creating dedicated beats for diversity coverage
Stop hiding behind anonymous sources when reporting on marginalized communities
The Community Response
For transgender people and allies, this report confirms what many have long experienced—mainstream media coverage often fails to capture their lived experiences and perspectives.
"We're tired of being talked about instead of talked to," is a sentiment echoed across many LGBTQ communities. When policies directly impact your rights and daily life, being excluded from the conversation feels like a second layer of erasure.
Trans Journalists Taking the Lead: Reporting from the Front Lines
While mainstream media continues to fuck up basic coverage of trans issues, a small but influential cohort of transgender journalists has emerged to fill the massive void in accurate reporting.
Take Erin Reed, for example. She didn't set out to become a journalist—she started by simply mapping informed consent providers for gender-affirming care because nobody else was doing it. That project evolved into full-time journalism documenting the relentless wave of anti-trans legislation sweeping across the United States. When traditional outlets fail to cover these bills or their implications, Reed's reporting becomes a literal lifeline for trans communities navigating this hostile landscape.
"I'm writing for the future," Reed explains, acknowledging the brutal reality that sometimes she can't change legislative outcomes in the moment. But having a documented record of what's happening? That matters. That's history being written by the people actually living it.
Then there's Evan Urquhart, who founded Assigned Media specifically to address the gaping holes in mainstream trans coverage. Urquhart and other trans journalists approach their work with a critical insight that eludes most cisgender reporters: being trans isn't a source of bias—it's a source of essential expertise and perspective.
The Trans Journalists Association has been pushing this point for years, providing resources to improve coverage of trans communities. Their message is simple: trans journalists can access sources, build trust, and understand nuances that other reporters simply cannot. When a trans person is interviewed by another trans person, the conversation starts from a place of shared understanding rather than having to explain Trans 101 basics for the millionth time.
And you know , Wendy the Druid, will always be here to say and do this stuff. Im not as big or as mighty as the other voices who are out there, but We do the same work, and we are headed towards the same goal as everyone else in the LGBTQIA+ Community.
What's particularly damning about GLAAD's findings is that they confirm exactly what these trans journalists have been saying—outlets with LGBTQ reporters produce more accurate, contextualized coverage. It's not rocket science; it's representation.
The emotional toll of this work is immense. Imagine spending your days documenting legislation aimed at erasing people like you from public life. These journalists persist despite the psychological weight because they understand what's at stake. When traditional media fails to properly cover anti-trans legislation, trans journalists step up—not just as professionals, but as people fighting for their communities' survival.
Taking Action
As readers and media consumers, we can demand better. Call out news outlets when they publish stories about transgender people without including transgender voices. Support news organizations that do prioritize inclusive coverage. Share articles that center transgender perspectives.
And if you're a journalist reading this—do better. It's not that hard to find transgender sources. There are numerous LGBTQ media organizations and advocacy groups that can connect you with articulate, informed transgender individuals who can speak to the issues affecting their communities.
This isn't about "special treatment"—it's about basic journalistic standards. When you write about a community, include that community's voice. Period.
Citations
“Mixed Results in Media Survey of Trump’s Anti-Transgender Executive Orders” GLAAD, March 2025
Frazier, E. “The Mainstream Media Is Failing Trans People. These Journalists Are Fighting Back.” The Nation, 2024
Image. Erin Reed. Marvin Joseph. The Washington Post via Getty Images.
Image. Wendy Weber. 2021
No dissing ones self! You are beautiful being you. Your soul radiates that beauty. Your intellect and humanity is your shield. Now you should really pick a color for your cape ❤️🤟🙏🏼
Thank heaven for people like you. Calling out this dangerous injustice every single time is how change happens. Keep it up. (By the way, you wear the cape well!)