The Most Important Part of the Story Was the Pronoun Not the Person, Dammit!

Dear Editor,
    We were upset and disappointed upon reading the article "The Death of Ben Brownlee" in last week's Chronicle [News, Jan. 30]. The blatant disregard for Tesía Samara's chosen name shows the Chronicle's lack of concern for accurately representing the lives of transgendered individuals. Tesía Samara took every route available to educate those who were in a position to validate and protect her. Her identity as a transgendered female, clearly articulated in her letter to teachers and counselors, was ignored by the authority figures she reached out to. This article repeats these mistakes by constantly referring to her by her legal name and the pronoun "he." The article ostensibly bemoans the death of a transgendered teenager, but reinforces the disregard and ignorance that create an atmosphere of isolation and hopelessness for transpeople. The irony of the article's subtitle ["When a Transgendered Teen Asked for Help, Was Anybody Listening?"] left us reeling. Tesía Samara's counselors and teachers were not listening – clearly neither was writer Jordan Smith. Using the correct name and pronoun is one of the simplest, most powerful ways to affirm and support transpeople. It is outrageous that this writer, who purports to be sympathetic to the plight of a bullied, abused, and deeply misunderstood young transwoman, refuses to take this easy step.
    Media misrepresentation is one of the many factors contributing to the despondency and alienation of trans teenagers and other isolated transpeople. Articles such as this may serve as the only representation that some transfolks see of themselves in the media, and send a clear message that their gender identity will indeed never be respected, even in death. It is tragic that transpeople continue to die as a result of societal ignorance. We hope that in the future the Chronicle works to end that trend rather than contribute to it.