Political Director Lisa Turner on how reporters should discuss LGBTQ candidates

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“The New Republic recently retracted an op-ed on presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg that was filled with sexually graphic speculation and harmful tropes about the promiscuity of gay men. The article, ‘My Problem with Mayor Pete,’ was widely denounced as ‘inappropriate,’ ‘disgusting,’ and homophobic—but it is far from the only writing about Buttigieg’s sexual identity that misses the mark. Public rumination on whether he is ‘out but not too out’ or ‘gay enough’ is a running part of the national political discourse.”

Read the rest, including Lisa Turner’s thoughts on how labels can influence candidacies, here.

Original Posting by:
CJR
August 1, 2019