Sex Sting, Mug Shots Included

In the bad old days of covering the gay community, covering bar arrests and sex stings was de rigeur.  Pictures of men being hauled from bar for being in “homosexual establishments” have been iconic symbols of pre- and post-Stonewall America. If you think the days of listing the names and addresses of men arrested for [...]

Media Moves to Block Gag Order in High-Profile Trial

Three media entities–including a gay-run blog and the parent company of hyperlocal TBD.com–have filed a motion to intervenee to challenge a gag order imposed in the civil trial of three gay men in DC who are accused in the wrongful death of a heterosexual man found dead in the home of the men who were [...]

How a Park Arrest Ended in a Death

One of area of concern about how gay issues are covered in the media has always involved coverage of “park cruising” and police stings.  Names and picture of suspects, irresponsible explanations of what is going on, you name it. Those problems don’t necessarily haunt the New York Times story of the death of DeFarra Gaymon, [...]

Is WaPo About to Rethink Its Policy of Identifying Gays?

A column by Washington Post Ombudsman Andy Alexander and a follow-up on his blog suggests that the paper is on the verge of reconsidering its policy on identifying the sexual orientation of people in news stories. The possible change comes as many have questioned the paper’s unwillingness to identify a murder victim as gay after [...]

When is a Crime Victim’s “Gay Lifestyle” News? II

Last week, we discussed the reporting on the murder of a D.C. middle school principal and questions about whether his “gay lifestyle” had played a role in the murder. News today that the victim allegedly met the suspects on a sex chat line or website and that three 18-year-old men have been arrested. So let’s [...]