In a 2019 tweet from the Associated Press Stylebook account, the experts in charge of doctrine for the bible of mainstream news opposed the publication of news stories that “deadname” people who have chosen to proclaim a new gender identify. This tweet was then posted on Facebook:
In general, use the name by which a person currently lives or is widely known. Include a previous name or names only if relevant to story.
While editors for many news organizations did everything possible to avoid the “Aiden” identity on social media, or even the use of pronouns in reference to the shooter, an early New York Times story used this cautious, narrow, language:
There was confusion about the gender identity of the assailant in the immediate aftermath of the attack. Chief Drake said the shooter identified as transgender. Officials used “she” and “her” to refer to the shooter, but, according to a social media post and a LinkedIn profile, the shooter appeared to identify as male in recent months.
Questions: Why, in this case, are many news organizations attempting to avoid the AP style guidelines on the “deadname” issue in this tragedy? Why is it “conservative” to probe the gender issues in this story?
Meanwhile, the conservative Daily Mail has openly pursued information on both the “who” and “why” questions, as seen in the story with this specific headline that stresses the religion elements of this story:
Nashville mass school shooter Audrey Hale was rejected by her Christian parents who ‘couldn’t accept’ she was gay and trans – as cops reveal she also planned to shoot relatives
In its many stories about the shooting, and the shooter, The Nashville Tennessean has gradually moved toward what many progressives would insist are “gender accurate” references to Hale. Note this interesting story with this headline: “Nashville school shooting: What we know about 28-year-old suspect.”
Picky readers will note, when clicking that URL, that a female reference in the original headline is implied in the coding: https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/crime/2023/03/27/nashville-school-shooting-what-we-know-about-28-year-old-female-shooter/70053679007/
The overture for this report sends several signals:
Seven people were killed in a mass shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville on Monday, including three children and the shooter.
Police identified the shooter as 28-year-old Audrey Elizabeth Hale, who police killed at the scene. Hale was a former student at The Covenant School, according to police.
Hale was an illustrator and graphic designer who used he/him pronouns, according to a police spokesperson. Police said Hale was transgender and they initially identified him by his birth name and gender.
This Tennessean story edged into territory that has been openly discussed in “conservative” media — the role that the family’s religious beliefs played in this drama.
Read this carefully: What is this implying about the “manifesto” text?
Hale’s attack was targeted and the department is reviewing a manifesto and “some writings,” planning for an attack on Monday, police Chief John Drake said in a news conference Monday afternoon.
Hale had also planned to attack another location, which Hale realized was too heavily secured and decided against, Drake said.
Keep reading:
In an interview with CBS Mornings on Tuesday, Drake said there were other targets, including a mall, outlined in materials obtained at Hale’s residence following Monday’s shooting.
“We think (Monday’s shooting) was targeted and planned,” Drake said.
“… We strongly believe there were going to be other targets, including maybe family members and one of the malls here in Nashville.”
Drake said that Hale, who attended Covenant School, had “some history” with the school which may have played a role in the motive for Monday’s shooting.
“What detectives have said so far is there is possibly some resentment for having to go to that school. There’s a connection with that family.”
There is simply too much material to cover, related to the religion and gender elements of this story. But all of the threads appear to aim toward the contents of Hale’s manifesto text and, thus, back to religious conflicts linked to this family and to the school that was targeted.
Once again: Do journalists actually want to pursue the “why” component in this hellish equation?
What was Audrey/Aiden Hale saying with these words?
“One day this will make more sense. I’ve left more than enough evidence behind”
IMAGES: From screen shots of the final messages sent by Audrey/Aiden Hale on social media, which have appeared on many social media platforms and in “conservative” media reports.
