Bit Of Homophobia In Coverage Of Gay Club Attack?'Reuters' Jerusalem Editor Jeffrey Heller's use of the word homosexual in coverage of a deadly attack on a gay club in Tel Aviv hints at a bit of homophobia homophobia Psychology An irrationally negative attitude toward those with homosexual orientation, or toward becoming homosexual. See Closet, Gay-bashing, Heterosexism. Cf Gay, Homosexual, Phobia. . In reporting on the attack from Jerusalem, Heller's unnecessary use of the word homosexual in the story's initial paragraph left us waiting for the second shoe to drop. “Israel's gay community was rocked on Sunday by the killing of two people in a homosexual and lesbian youth center and the possibility they fell victim to a hate crime in the Jewish state's most freewheeling free·wheel·ing adj. 1. a. Free of restraints or rules in organization, methods, or procedure. b. Heedless of consequences; carefree. 2. Relating to or equipped with a free wheel. city,” Heller wrote in an article titled 'Israeli Gays' Safe Haven 1. Designated area(s) to which noncombatants of the United States Government's responsibility and commercial vehicles and materiel may be evacuated during a domestic or other valid emergency. 2. Turns Deadly'. The article ran in the 'Washington Post', as well as other publications. One commenter fretted: “I'm sure the writer is ordinarily or·di·nar·i·ly adv. 1. As a general rule; usually: ordinarily home by six. 2. In the commonplace or usual manner: ordinarily dressed pedestrians on the street. very skilled, but in this case he failed to consult a dictionary (and perhaps [he] slipped the copy editor a drink instead of having him/her do their job). Lesbians are homosexual by definition. So 'homosexual and lesbian' is redundant.” More likely, however, the use of the word homosexual here is a reference to gay men. A choice not approved by most style guides. 'The Associated Press' style guide suggests writers avoid the use of the word homosexual except “in clinical contexts or references to sexual activity.” 'Reuters' handbook for writers does not limit the use of the word, but would not approve of Heller's writing: “The word [homosexual] applies to both men and women, not just to men. Therefore do not write homosexuals and lesbians, although you can refer to homosexual men and women.” Heller is a skilled reporter who started his journalism career at the Jerusalem Post in 1980 after completing a degree in English literature English literature, literature written in English since c.1450 by the inhabitants of the British Isles; it was during the 15th cent. that the English language acquired much of its modern form. and Television and Cinema at Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv University (TAU, אוניברסיטת תל־אביב, את"א) is Israel's largest on-site university. . He currently lives in Jerusalem. 
|
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion