NYPost Faces Scrutiny Over Sex-Based Pronoun Usage in Transgender Athlete Coverage

A social media post by writer Wesley Yang has drawn attention to the New York Post's journalistic practices regarding gender identity, specifically its use of "sex-based pronouns" in an article concerning a transgender individual. The tweet, posted on March 18, 2022, highlighted the newspaper's approach, stating, > "The NYPost uses correct sex-based pronouns to refer to a girl who says she is a boy." This commentary refers to the Post's coverage of transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, which has previously sparked considerable debate.

The New York Post's reporting on Lia Thomas, a transgender woman athlete, has been a point of contention for its consistent use of pronouns aligned with her biological sex assigned at birth, rather than her affirmed gender identity. Articles from the Post, such as one titled "Trans swimmer Lia Thomas’s biological sex gives her unfair advantage: critics," have repeatedly referred to Thomas using female pronouns and emphasized her "biological sex." This editorial choice has led to accusations of misgendering and a lack of journalistic integrity from various LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and media critics.

In contrast, leading journalistic organizations and style guides advocate for using an individual's self-identified pronouns as a matter of respect and accuracy. The Associated Press Stylebook, for instance, advises journalists to "use the pronoun preferred by the individuals who have transitioned or are transitioning." Similarly, the Poynter Institute and GLAAD emphasize the importance of using a person's affirmed name and pronouns to avoid harm and maintain trust in media reporting on transgender issues.

The controversy surrounding the New York Post's coverage underscores a broader ongoing societal and media debate concerning gender identity, pronoun usage, and the inclusion of transgender athletes in sports. While some argue for reporting based on biological sex, others emphasize the ethical imperative of affirming an individual's gender identity in journalistic representation. The Post's consistent stance in its reporting on Lia Thomas continues to position it distinctly within this complex discussion.