SPJ Florida Hosting Session at Transgender Conference
DUE TO HURRICANE IRMA, THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED.
We will update with a new place and time as soon as possible, thank you!
With more transgender actors in Hollywood, the recent military ban, and bathroom bills, how well is the media covering the transgender community? SPJ Florida invites you to an open discussion for feedback on how we can better serve the community in our reporting.
“As both a trans person and a journalist, I’ve seen miscommunication tarnish an opportunity to build awareness for the trans community,” said Brendon Lies, SPJ Florida secretary. “For the past few years, all eyes have been on the transgender community. But how do journalists report on a group of people they may have never met? It all starts with an open mind.”
The session, “The Transgender Community and the Media,” will be hosted Sept. 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Riverside Hotel in Fort Lauderdale during the annual Southern Comfort Transgender Conference. Hosted every year in South Florida, the conference draws transgender activists, doctors, social workers, and other members of the community.
“There’s so much going on in the transgender community, and so many media outlets don’t know how to report on it,” said SPJ Florida president, Christiana Lilly. “From using the wrong pronouns or not understanding what being transgender means, it hinders our reporting.”
For more details on the event, as well as to RSVP, visit our Facebook event page. Because the event is during a conference, guests attending our sessions MUST RSVP as soon as possible so we can ensure the conference registration fee is waived.
Come prepared with questions, suggestions, and ready for an open conversation!
Meet our panel:
Rajee Narinesingh: She is perhaps best known for her time on the reality television show “Botched,” where her story touched countless people around the world. Since the show debuted, Narinesingh has used her fame as a platform to grow as a voice for the trans community in both South Florida and beyond.
Tiffany Arieagus: A trans woman who is no stranger to the spotlight, her accomplishments include her former title as Miss F.I. Florida in 1978. Beyond an active singing career, Arieagus is supervisor of Housing and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Case Management for SunServe.
Our moderator:
Brendon Lies: Lies is a trans man and the current art director of South Florida Gay News. Between writing for SFGN and the occasional five minutes of fame that his activities in the community sometimes bring, Lies has seen both sides of the spectrum when it comes to reporting on trans individuals.