Alleged TG Man Arrested for Murder

[Carolyn Marie]

A terrible crime, for sure. But at the risk of sounding like a broken record, what does the suspect's alleged transsexualism have to do with the crime? The article gives no reason, but it makes for a nice headline, no?

http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_22389958/transgender-man-charged-murder-2012-slaying-wilmington-woman

Carolyn Marie

[Carolyn Marie]

I sent the following letter to the author:

Hello, Mr. Altman. This is in regards to your article in today's Daily Breeze on the arrest of a suspect in the murder of Christian Alvarez.

The crime was certainly a terrible one, and I'm glad the police have made an arrest. If the suspect is guilty, then I hope he gets whatever punishment is appropriate.

My issue with the story is the focus on the suspect being transgender. Since there is nothing in the article, including statements from the police, that indicates his being transgender had any relevance to the crime, I do not understand why it was made a central point in the story and the headline.

Actually, that isn't entirely true. I do, in fact, understand, because I have seen similar things done in the media time and time again. The fact is that society in general, and the media in particular, finds transgender people to be "freaks," and any time a transgender person does anything to get into the news, their status is trumpeted in headlines. That happens regardless of whether their being transgender has anything to do with why they are in the news. Such appears to be true in the instant case.

Gender dysphoria is a medical condition recognized by both the AMA and the APA. It is a condition that is entirely treatable medically. If the suspect had diabetes, would the headline have read "Diabetic Arrested for Murder?" I think not. The headline you used was put there for one reason only; to attract attention because there was a "freak" involved.

If someone's status as a transgender person is relevant to a crime; for example, if someone is the victim of a hate crime, then I certainly understand and would approve of it being made a prominent part of the story. But if it is not relevant, or its relevance isn't yet clear, how about you and your editors giving people like me a break, and refrain from another headline about TG people and criminal acts?

I am a long time ************* resident, and an activist in the TG Community. Yours in not the only paper that I have complained to about such tactics, and I'm sure it won't be the last. If you or your editors would like to discuss this further, you have my contact information.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Carolyn *****************

We'll see if anyone replies.

[MaryEllen]

Don't hold your breath waiting, Carolyn.

[Carolyn Marie]

Don't hold your breath waiting, Carolyn.

Good thing I decided to continue breathing. No one from the paper has replied.

Carolyn Marie

[Bulldog1948]

I was reading over on the site that it now considered a transgendered woman and not a trans guy.

Sounds like a bad mess to me.

Mike

[Michelle 2010]

Well written reply Carolyn. Additionally, their story is almost at the end before it becomes clear that its a transwoman not a transman as the suspected perp. Bad headline...

Michelle