Is your last name, K, I N, G, T, O, N, and what are your pronouns, she, her. And then are you a student or,
Oh, perfect community member and work for the Athens county independent, okay?
And then, as a member of the trans community, would you be willing to share only what you are comfortable with about
your experience. Who said I was a member of the trans community? Sure. Yeah, perfect. Just experience generally. Or what are you if
you want to tell us, whatever you would like to tell us right now and then we have like, follow up questions specifically
on media. Okay, sure, yeah, I so I'm a working journalist, and have been since 2021 I worked for a little bit at the Athens Messenger, and then have been at the Athens independent for the whole time, I co founder and staff writer, and we're majority queer organization. And I also was on the board for a couple of years of the Bucha flame, which is Ohio's only statewide LGBTQ newsroom. And so through that experience, you know, have well, through all of these experience, have thought a lot about trans representation and inclusion in the media. I think that, like, there's a lot of really great resources out there to support media workers covering trans individuals and communities. The Trans Journalists Association I'm a member of, and they also put out a lot of really helpful resource guides. GLAAD also has really helpful reporting guides. And yeah, I think that like, so just thinking about like a local context, because, I mean, I've worked in local media, I think that covering trans people in community with a lot of like care and intentionality is really important, and it can be really harmful to to not do those things report carelessly on people in the community. I know that, like, you know, especially in the current political moment, like trans people are obviously discussed in the you know, political sphere, and by consequence, in the media a whole lot, and that happens in local media too. I know that like I think maybe it was a year ago or two years ago, during the coverage of what was happening at the artifacts gallery uptown the Athens news arena story, for instance, that was just giving a lot of space, a huge platform to the owner of that gallery, and the, you know, other network, the other people who were sort of involved in the demonstrations she was hosting, which are connected to like groups, like hate groups, international hate groups and organizations. And the Athens news coverage was very like, you know, they ran two separate stories. One was on like, what the protesters were saying, and one was on like, what the the artifacts people were saying. And I think that that was a really harmful example of, like, just giving both sides uncritically when, like, a lot of the things that these people were saying, and granted, yeah, these are influential people in town. This is, like, a business owner with a big platform. And so I think some media workers would have a tendency to be like, Oh, we must, you know, represent her perspective. But I don't think that like representing that perspective when it's like, demonstrably wrong and harmful, is actually a very good move. You know, I think that, like, in covering these issues, it's important to always, like, check your sources against, like, what does, what do people in trans community say, and what is like, what has research shown about, like, what is, you know, appropriate and effective, like medical care for trans people, for instance, and also like what stories need to be told and why, and also considering the impact that that coverage is going to have. So like when the Athens news ran these stories, we have the Athens county independent wrote an editorial from our whole staff about, you know, making sure that journalism and local journalism is not a platform for hate speech, which we felt the Athens news was falling into giving a platform for hate speech. And so, you know, I'm really proud to be part of the team that is, like, outspoken and clear about that, but I think, you know, that's a local example, but I think we see the same thing in, like, national media coverage. There's a lot of really harmful coverage of trans people nationally right now that is just like, really under research may be written on deadline by people who have good intentions and they just end up being really careless, and then also, of course, by people who have no interest in being careful. And I think that has a really, really harmful impact on trans people and trans community. I think that, like seeing those perspectives out there unchecked, you know, there's a correlation between, you know, the passage of, like, anti LGBTQ legislation and, you know, suicide rates among queer and trans people. And I think that when we think about media coverage, that's also part of this equation. It contributes to the policy side and to the well being of people in our communities. So like, you know, seeing that story in the Athens news, for instance, was like, really jarring, because it's like, oh, this is my this is where I live. These are my neighbors. And this is the narrative that people are seeing about me and people like me and my friends and like, you know that really sucks. And so, yeah, I think that being journalists and covering these things comes with a lot of responsibility. And it's not just true of, like, LGBTQ issues. It's also true of, you know, when you're covering any marginalized population trying to be really intentional about that and not let deadline pressure or, like, these sort of false ideas about, you know, representing all voices and perspectives like, get in the way of coverage that actually avoids harm. So I guess I'm just kind of rambling.
Yeah, definitely good. We're all taking bad news, so like you're doing good. So with you said, there's a lot of areas like lacking, and what are specific areas in trans representation that are lacking or specifically are harmful? And then also, on the flip side, any specific areas that you think are good with trans representation in the
media? Yeah. I mean, I spoke to some of this already. I think that like looking to LGBTQ led organizations and newsrooms for guidance. Is like that direct like peer to peer support shouldn't be overlooked. I think like organizations like the book I flame in Ohio are doing a lot of really great work, not only to provide like, really comprehensive coverage of like queer Ohio, but also to support other media organizations in, you know, getting that coverage up to snuff. I know that, like when I was on the board there, the book I flame worked with other media organizations throughout the state who had maybe, like done coverage that ended up being really harmful and perhaps unintentionally, and then were willing to, like work with the flame, to like correct course and try not to let that happen again. And like similarly, like the trans Journalists Association, like, does put out resources on, like, reporting on trans people in community and, like, the same I said, but like the glad resources. So I think, like, there is a lot coming from trans people in the media about how media can do a better job in covering our communities. So I guess, does that answer your question?
Yeah, and then I know you write for you, said the new political the Athens County, Athens county independent, how has like if you separate your writing from reading, do you choose to read transmedia, or do you try to avoid it?
I mean, I definitely try to read trans media, especially when it's about like, issues that affect trans people. I think that, you know, I think there's a really harmful idea that's, like, very old school journalism, and like, white man journalism, of like, Oh, well. Like, if you're part of a marginalized population, you shouldn't be involved in covering that population because you have a bias. But I think that is, like, really backwards. And also, like, how many white guys are reporting on white guy stuff without ever thinking about it at all, you know? So I think actually, like being a trans person covering things that impact trans people like, you know, I do that work, and I feel able to do it from, like, a much more informed position because of my identity, and don't see it as, like, any sort of conflict. Can you repeat the question? I'm not sure if I'm getting that
word. Just if you do, you choose to, like, read about trans people your work.
So I think I guess where I was going with that is to say that I think, yeah, I try to read the work of trans journalists and uplift that work. And it's not just about like, like, I think trans journalists are able to bring important perspective to like, lots of other areas of media coverage that maybe tangentially touch on trans rights, but are also broader. Like, I know some awesome trans journalists doing extremism reporting work, and I think like, feel like, I guess I shouldn't speculate, but like, you know, I feel called to like extremism reporting in part because I'm like, This is so directly impactful to me and the people around me. And, you know, I think that, like, it's really important to be reporting on those things, and that's obviously informed by my identity. And there are other reporters whose work I follow who I think the same is likely true. So, yeah, what about
on more of, like, a national level? Like, do you choose to just focus on local things, or do you read more national coverage as well?
Definitely, like, read more national coverage. I wouldn't say I'm like, like, you know, I have some media sources I look to pretty regularly for, like, local and state and regional coverage and like, and like, yeah, national coverage. I like, there are journalists, specific journalists whose work I follow that has, like, national bearing, just kind of just alluding to that, but like, and yeah, both on trans issues and other issues where I'm like, following trans reporters. But yeah, I wouldn't say by and large that I'm like, the most intentional about where I'm getting my national media, because it's just like, I'm so we're also inundated. Yeah, about the more
I the more bad new media, like coverage of trans people in the media. Do you think it's importantly, even though you do just disagree with it? Do you think it's so good to read that to understand what other people are seeing? Or do you
Yeah, I mean, I definitely do not try to, like, hide from to or to, like, insulate myself from like, what's out there. If I find myself, like, reading something and I'm like, this sucks. This is shitty reporting, I also will just, like, usually close it, though, because I'm like, I want to get like, you know, I don't want to waste my time with, like, bad journalism.
Then, how has the news affected your mental health?
Oh, that's such an interesting question, part of the news. I mean, I think that, like, yeah, it is hard as a trans person not to sometimes feel pretty personally affected by like coverage that's out there around like, what's what's happening to trans people in community, in the state and country. I think, like working in media and having to, like, like, you know, for the extremism reporting stuff I was doing. For instance, I went to this church in Marietta where these, like, far right meetings were taking place, and they would frequently talk about, like, trans people and their views of trans people and like that was really hard to sit through and hear. And like I often have to, like, call up our state representatives and be like, What do you think about this? And then just listen as they, like, spew anti trans bullshit for like, 10 minutes or whatever. And like that gets to be pretty taxing. And also, like being a trans person working in that space, you know, going into those meetings, I would be find myself pretty nervous, or like having a lot of jobs about whether it was safe to go honestly, the anticipation was worse than the actual doing it. And you know, I never really knew, like, Do these people know, like, who they're talking to in that way or not, but always was trying to be, like, prepared that they, like, might know or could find out, because it's not like a secret. Like, if you Google my name, like, things will come up around, like, you know, an artist presidency I did, or like, my board membership on the Bucha flame that were like, are all very like, forward about like, my identity. So anyway, I would say, like, yes, sometimes I'm affected by like coverage of trans people and community and also having to follow that stuff for my job at like, the state level and like, also follow like people on different with different viewpoints on these things. For just for my work, it's often taxing too, and I've gotten like some shit for covering, like, covering trans issues, like, back in the, like, the same incident I was talking about, but artifacts coverage, like people started, like, tagging me on Twitter, and things being like, oh, like, the Athens independent is making this editorial because this person on their staff, like, you know, attacking me. And so, yeah, it's, it can be taxing.
And then turning away from just news and opening it to all media and celebrities and everything. Who are your transfer models?
I mean, my transfer models are my friends. I don't know that's perfect. Seeing Hunter Shafer and ephoria was cool.
And then, what is your favorite? Form of trans representation, and why it does not specifically have to be, like, good representation. Yeah,
I was like, who's your favorite, like, trans character, or, like, Do you have a head canon or, and when I said, like, positive, I was like, Well, no one likes Frank and Furter because, like, he's technically evil and uses slurs. But if that was your favorite, I mean,
I read a lot of trans literature, and, yeah, I think that, like, trans fiction and poetry is, like, probably my favorite, like trans media. And I don't know, I think one of the early writer, early writers whose work I was following, it was, like, really impactful and important for me, was Matilda Bernstein Sycamore, who has various like novels and essay collections and other like, long form non fiction. And, yeah, I think that, like, access to trans literature was, like, really key to my development. So yeah, also, you know, my friend Casey is a trans novelist and short story writer, and like her work is awesome, Casey flip. She's an OU professor. I really put her stuff, and I don't know, just does that. Yeah, yeah.
And then how has representation in fiction, movies, television shows, books? Do you like the representation given, or is there spots of that that you would like more coverage? And then how has representation overall in fiction affected your mental health?
I would say that like in like, especially like TV and movies, the sorts of trans people who are represented are often the very like, polished, like, like, polished versions of us that I think also like erase, like, like, those are real stories. But I think so much is often like erased through that kind of representation too. It's like people who transitioned early in childhood and like you could, you would never even know. And like, you know, I think that like, yeah, those are important people and voices to represent. And by leaving out, like, whole swaths of trans community that like are viewed as less desirable by like the media companies and their perceptions of their audiences like that. That's really harmful, too. So, yeah, I saw this meme that was like a cis woman writing about trans women. And then like, the caption was like, Lacey is an outstanding member of her community and volunteers on the Kamala Harris campaign. And like, blah, blah, blah. And then it was like, trans women writing about trans women. And it was like, my name is Jennifer Fauci, three cigarettes a day, let me die. Like, I feel like that is a really, yeah, that is kind of how I think about this question. Like trans people, like, especially in literature, there's a lot more freedom because of just the medium. And there's a lot of like, trans writers doing, like, really incredible work, yeah,
and then looking forward to the future, what predictions do you have for trans representation and media, news coverage, movies, TV shows, etc?
I don't know. We'll just
see. Know. I think that's everything we have written. Do you guys have any additional questions?
Is there anything else you'd like us to know that or include? Because this is going to be like a narrative, kind of like, hear my voice a little bit. So okay, um,
yeah, I don't know. I think like that when we think about representation, like, I feel like representation is a weirdly loaded word, right where it's like, I'm not that interested in, like, what cis people have to say about trans people. And I think that like looking for trans inclusion or representation is like a slightly different thing than like trans people telling our own stories. And like being given platforms to do that, opportunities to do that, like funding to do that. And I think that that is the kind of thing I'm interested in, is like people involved in telling our own stories, yeah.
Thank you so much. Yeah.
Did that like,
desire to like, you know, for more people to tell to cover their like themselves in media. Like, did that motivate you getting to journalism, or was that more of a separate motivation? I got
into journalism quite by accident. That was not, not really part of my motivation, but I think it does motivate me to be like, covering LGBTQ stories, and stories that like impact trans people, like make sure that recording that I was talking about. So I think it influences the sort of work that I do.
