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Gormy Cuss

(30,884 posts)

9. yes, gender neutral terms would solve the problem quite neatly

Thu Feb 21, 2013, 05:35 PM

Feb 2013

but I think what the style manual update does is allow the reporters to use the terms used by those interviewed rather than restricting the reporters to using different terms based on some arbitrary rule, since now husband, wife, spouse, or partner are all acceptable terms for a member of a married couple.

What it's NOT doing is requiring reporters to call one spouse a husband and the other a wife.

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Highlight:

AP To Use ‘Husband, Wife’ Regardless Of Sexual Orientation [View all] DonViejo Feb 2013 OP

Maybe I'm not understanding but that sounds ridiculous. Happyhippychick Feb 2013 #1

I assume that's what they mean. subterranean Feb 2013 #7

I hope that's the case. The article was poorly worded! Happyhippychick Feb 2013 #19

I was wondering the same thing too. brush Feb 2013 #42

Maybe TPM needs a style guide. JackRiddler Feb 2013 #57

husband OR wife....perfectly acceptable.. Evasporque Feb 2013 #40

What's wrong with "spouse"? Scairp Feb 2013 #52

Why not just "spouses" for everyone? frazzled Feb 2013 #2

yes, gender neutral terms would solve the problem quite neatly Gormy Cuss Feb 2013 #9

Someone needs to edit the TPM article, or the AP manual then frazzled Feb 2013 #11

Oh, agreed. It's terrible writing. Gormy Cuss Feb 2013 #12

They had a gender neutral term in "partner" marshall Feb 2013 #49

Because most gay couples would rather be "husband and husband" pnwmom Feb 2013 #14

But I'm part of a straight couple and would just as happily be called a "spouse" frazzled Feb 2013 #16

Fine. But why would you object to another option that many gay people pnwmom Feb 2013 #22

And some do not frazzled Feb 2013 #28

Most straight couples will continue to refer to their husbands and wives. pnwmom Feb 2013 #29

Terms to use-staight couples cartach Feb 2013 #31

What? pnwmom Feb 2013 #34

Wait a minute leftynyc Feb 2013 #3

No... DonViejo Feb 2013 #6

That's what I thought leftynyc Feb 2013 #39

Buffoonery. truthisfreedom Feb 2013 #4

Why do you have a problem with this? Liberalagogo Feb 2013 #10

"I always hated the word "partner". It made it sound like all gay people were in law firms." RILib Feb 2013 #46

Would you care to explain yourself, Occulus Feb 2013 #59

Wait, what? krispos42 Feb 2013 #5

No... DonViejo Feb 2013 #8

Yes, exactly krispos42 Feb 2013 #24

Several weeks ago, DonViejo Feb 2013 #45

well, why not just let people decide? I don't care. I call my spouse my husband because CTyankee Feb 2013 #20

Maybe I'm mis-reading it then krispos42 Feb 2013 #25

maybe gay people prefer it that way? Ever thought of that? CTyankee Feb 2013 #27

Yes, I did, actually krispos42 Feb 2013 #30

No, I actually looked at it and it said that other designations could be used. CTyankee Feb 2013 #58

Seriously Liberalagogo Feb 2013 #13

I don't get it either Blasphemer Feb 2013 #18

"spouse" Bernardo de La Paz Feb 2013 #15

Doesn't convey the gender of the spouse sweetloukillbot Feb 2013 #23

The gender of the spouse does not matter. That's the point of marriage equality! Bernardo de La Paz Feb 2013 #33

Do you know anyone who, in casual conversation, refers to his or her spouse pnwmom Feb 2013 #35

Informal conversation (like DU swearing) is not journalistic writing. nt Bernardo de La Paz Feb 2013 #36

Then when in journalist writing are husbands and wives pnwmom Feb 2013 #37

https://www.google.com/search?tbm=nws&q=spouse Heywood J Feb 2013 #63

The point of marriage equality is being able to marry regardless of gender, Occulus Feb 2013 #60

I don't mind being known as the wife in the marriage. Coolest Ranger Feb 2013 #17

I wanted to ask, what do gay married folk want to be called? Skittles Feb 2013 #51

If I ever get married I'll let you know but the marriage is not top on my agenda right now Coolest Ranger Feb 2013 #53

well, I have never understood the appeal of marriage Skittles Feb 2013 #61

Skittles you are bad LOL Coolest Ranger Feb 2013 #62

Future lawsuit for 'mis-labeling' the husband and/or wife during a 'partner' type story?? benld74 Feb 2013 #21

I think it should be... Mike Nelson Feb 2013 #26

Why not "husband" for all married men and "wife" for all married women? pnwmom Feb 2013 #38

That's fine, too... Mike Nelson Feb 2013 #54

I think that's what the AP policy is -- to refer to people as they prefer. n/t pnwmom Feb 2013 #56

And the limits of the english language become evident once again. Scootaloo Feb 2013 #32

AP to use teltron and geffle for identifying married individuals Evasporque Feb 2013 #41

"Liberal media" that CAVES to right wing whining. N/t alp227 Feb 2013 #43

This makes perfect sense cthulu2016 Feb 2013 #44

The husband is male, the wife female rocktivity Feb 2013 #47

And what happens when the name does not indicate gender? randome Feb 2013 #55

A simple search will confirm dipsydoodle Feb 2013 #48

Love AP Stylebook. RebelOne Feb 2013 #50