SF Chronicle Removes Lesbian Reporters from Marriage Coverage

MEDIA ADVISORY - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Geoff Kors
Contact: Molly McKay
Executive Director
No. Cal. Executive Director

Equality California
Marriage Equality California

(415) 581-0803
(415) 875-3204

geoff [at] eqca.org <mailto:geoff [at] eqca.org>
mmckay [at] marriageequalityca.org

Marriage Equality California and Equality California Express Concern
Over SF Chronicle's Decision to Remove Lesbian Reporters From Marriage
Story

Marriage Equality California (MECA) and Equality California (EQCA) today
expressed their strong concern about SF Chronicle Executive Editor Phil
Bronstein's decision to remove LGBT beat reporters, Rachel Gordon and
Liz Mangelsdorf, from same-sex marriage assignments because they married
each other.

"The decision to remove these respected journalists from this story
simply because they happen to be lesbians who exercised their legal
right to marry each other is an insult not just to them, but to the
entire LGBT Community," said Molly McKay, No. California Executive
Director of MECA, "This sets a dangerous precedent of singling out
reporters as inherently "biased" because of their sexual orientation or
marital status. Does the Chronicle prohibit Catholic reporters from
writing about the sex scandal in the Church? Do they prohibit women
from writing about sex discrimination? Do they prohibit Republican
reporters from writing about President Bush or the Governor?"

"Equality California is concerned that this action will have a chilling
effect on other LGBT reporters," said Geoffrey Kors, Executive Director
of EQCA. "In taking this step, the Chronicle is sending a message to
reporters to stay in the closet about who they are and who they love.
And if you are out and want to have your relationship recognized by
marrying, as Rachel and Liz did, you had best hide it at work. We are
requesting a meeting with the SF Chronicle to discuss this issue."