TIPS FOR JOURNALISTS

COLAGE provides the following food for thought to journalists preparing to cover LGBT, youth and family issues -- we hope they will be helpful as you think about your story.

Many LGBT families are concerned about privacy. And for good reason: homophobia and transphobia, social ostracism, being fired, being evicted, being attacked, etc. are all common results when bigots find out about our families. Don't assume that we'll want to be anonymous- you'll find tons of kids who are proudly outspoken about their families. But also be understanding and accommodating if and when youth with LGBT parents request anonymity.

Please keep in mind that the members of our Speak OUT program have full time school or work schedules. The more flexible you are able to be, the more likely it is that someone will be willing and able to work with you on your story.

The most common question reporters and others ask about those of us with LGBT parents is: what is your sexual orientation? If this includes you, and you feel like you can do a good story without needing to know if your interviewee is gay or straight, then don't ask. If you feel like you have to ask, you should know that many young people just don't know yet. Also, many folks find this an intrusion, and many are offended because there is an assumption that somehow if someone is straight, then it's not so bad that their parent is gay, but if they are gay, then it reflects poorly not only on their parents, but on LGBT families in general. The underlying premise is a common one: gay is bad, so if gay parents "make" gay kids, then maybe they shouldn't be allowed to be parents.

Additionally, if you need to know a subject's sexual orientation for your piece, then ask. But don't fall into another trap by omitting that interview if it turns out the kid is gay themselves. You may think you are doing a favor to gay families by not perpetuating the myth that gay parents make gay kids. But you are actually perpetuating the myth that gay is bad by omitting an interview for that reason. And, many folks with gay parents are gay themselves, just like many folks with straight parents are. Please don't make second generation LGBT folks invisible; in fact, consider it a new angle that almost no one else has taken.

Also realize that there are many ways in which our families are complex- several parents coparenting children together, divorced and blended families, transgender parents or guardians, and multi-racial families just to name a few examples. Be respectful of the diversity of our community and be open to exploring these more unique types of families. We are often told by members of the media that "so and so's story is SO interesting, but it's just too complicated." By telling the lesser known ways in which LGBT parents create and sustain families you would be doing a great justice to the thousands of kids represented by these families!

COLAGE requests that all print media and when possible, other mediums of reporting include contact information for COLAGE in your piece, so that people watching or reading can get in touch with us. Your work will help isolated youth and families connect to others like themselves.