During the 2021 legislative session, seven states passed laws that restrict transgender athletes’ ability to participate on sports teams that match their gender identity; dozens more states introduced similar bills in 2021 that didn’t pass.
At the center of public — and often vitriolic — debate around such laws are kids, families, athletic clubs and schools. This webinar teaches journalists how to thoughtfully, accurately and ethically report stories about gender and sports on the local level.Â
Poynter faculty and senior adviser Joie Chen talks with ESPN reporter Katie Barnes about legislative developments across the United States, best practices when reporting on gender identity and kids, and lessons they learned from reporting on this topic for years. Their reporting includes the battle over Title IX and who gets to be a woman in sports, a cover story about Layshia Clarendon, the WNBA’s first openly nonbinary and transgender player, and an article about young transgender athletes caught in middle of states’ debates and athletic association policies.
Related trainings:Â
Dignity and Precision in Language
How to Improve Your News Organization’s Coverage of LGBTQ+ Communities
Questions?
If you need assistance, email us at info@poynter.org.Â
