Download: Philadelphia Neighborhoods: Diversity Style Guide References
When reporting on certain topics and particular demographics that are often minorities and have a history of being marginalized, oppressed or disenfranchised it is critical to approach the topic with sensitivity. Often it is a good idea to reference national organizations that have established the best terms, media guidelines and practices for approaching and covering the subject. Below you will find a list of topics and what to reference to treat your subjects with dignity and respect.
Topics: aging, animals, Asian Americans, Blacks, disabilities, drug abuse and addiction, gender, LGBTQ, mental health, Native American, poverty, race, religion
Good comprehensive resources:
– Diversity Style Guide
– Conscious Style Guide
– Progressive’s Style Guide
There are many more resources available to help you navigate these subjects. If you do not find what you are looking for below, consult another resource or ask your editor for guidance in finding the solution.
Aging
– Media Takes on Aging
Animals
– http://www.animalsandmedia.org/main/journalism-guidelines/
Asian American
– https://aaja.org/2020/11/30/covering-asia-and-asian-americans/
Black
– https://www.nabj.org/general/custom.asp?page=styleguide
Disabilities
– http://ncdj.org/style-guide
– https://adata.org/factsheet/ADANN-writing
– https://apastyle.apa.org/6th-edition-resources/nonhandicapping-language
– http://rtcil.org/products/media/guidelines
Drug Abuse and Addiction
– https://d14rmgtrwzf5a.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/mediaguide_web_3_0.pdf
Gender
(Refer to LGBTQ section for additional transgender guidelines)
Because of changing understandings of identity and related terms, it is important to highlight Philadelphia Neighborhoods policy regarding usage. By default, follow AP style:
gender —
transgender
An adjective that describes people whose biology at birth does not match their gender identity. Does not require sex reassignment. Identify people as transgender only if pertinent, and use the name by which they live publicly. Bernard is a transgender man. Christina came out as a transgender woman. The shorthand trans is acceptable on second reference and in headlines: Grammys add first man and first trans woman as trophy handlers.
Do not use as a noun or refer to someone as transgendered. Not synonymous with terms like cross-dresser or drag queen, which do not have to do with gender identity. See cross-dresser, drag performer. Do not use the outdated term transsexual. Do not use a derogatory term such as tranny except in rare circumstances – only in a quote when it is crucial to the story or the understanding of a news event. Flag the contents in an editor’s note.
Use the name by which a transgender person now lives: Caitlyn Jenner. Refer to a previous name only if relevant to the story: Caitlyn Jenner, who won a 1976 Olympic gold medal in decathlon as Bruce Jenner. See name changes, LGBT, LGBTQ.
they, them, their —
In most cases, a plural pronoun should agree in number with the antecedent: The children love the books their uncle gave them.They/them/their is acceptable in limited cases as a singular and-or gender-neutral pronoun, when alternative wording is overly awkward or clumsy. However, rewording usually is possible and always is preferable. Clarity is a top priority; gender-neutral use of a singular they is unfamiliar to many readers. We do not use other gender-neutral pronouns such as xe or ze…
Arguments for using they/them as a singular sometimes arise with an indefinite pronoun (anyone, everyone, someone) or unspecified/unknown gender (a person, the victim, the winner)…
In stories about people who identify as neither male nor female or ask not to be referred to as he/she/him/her: Use the person’s name in place of a pronoun, or otherwise reword the sentence, whenever possible. If they/them/their use is essential, explain in the text that the person prefers a gender-neutral pronoun. Be sure that the phrasing does not imply more than one person…
Refer to below for understanding of terms and usage:
– https://www.genderspectrum.org/quick-links/understanding-gender/
– http://www2.ncte.org/statement/genderfairuseoflang/
– https://radicalcopyeditor.com/2017/08/31/transgender-style-guide/
LGBTQ
(Refer to Gender section for additional transgender pronoun guidelines)
– https://www.glaad.org/reference
– https://www.nlgja.org/stylebook
– https://transjournalists.org/style-guide
Mental Health
– https://19403eb0-8756-415c-9e1c-52cc77b3a705.filesusr.com/ugd/aec3fc_018d8f26fc7a4262a299475fb657cf0c.pdf
– https://www.buzzfeed.com/drumoorhouse/writing-about-mental-health
Native American
– https://najanewsroom.com/reporting-guides/
Poverty
https://brokeinphilly.org/language-guide/
Religion
– http://religionstylebook.com/
– http://www.religionlink.com/reporting-on-religion/
– http://www.religionlink.com/reporting-on/
Last updated: Feb. 19, 2021