If
you're exploring the intersection
of religion and homosexuality,
you might wish you could buy a
flak jacket before hitting the
keyboard or picking up a microphone.
But you can arm yourself against
criticism by being fair and balanced.
Don't
make assumptions about a religion,
denomination or book of faith.
Someone is bound to disagree with
statements you may write or broadcast.
Some
reporters, for example, have written
that the Bible condemns homosexuality.
But a variety of experts disagree
that the Bible makes such statements
when taken in context. Others note
that many biblical laws are ignored
in modern life.
Present
the various points of view and
let readers, listeners or viewers
decide who's right. Even if you're
a member of the faith you're writing
about, you may not know about alternative
views. Use the many available resources — the
Internet, the library, academicians,
religious groups for gays and lesbians,
faith leaders — to
get a more complete story.
Be
aware of the presence of gays and
lesbians in local churches and
synagogues. "More are going
back to churches — that
has been my observation in the
last decade or so," says Chuck
Colbert, a freelance journalist
who writes for the National
Catholic Reporter, a liberal
independent weekly newspaper. "In
some cases, they're finding that
congregations are supportive and
not hostile. They're finding homes."
Colbert
says journalists should search
for lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender (LGBT) organizations
in major (and even minor) denominations. "They
should know there's an Integrity
group for the Episcopalians and
Dignity and New Ways Ministries
for Catholics," he says.
Journalists
covering clergy sex-abuse scandals
should exercise caution. Some religious
leaders might tell you that gay
men are more likely than straight
men to abuse children, but that
contention doesn't belong in a
news story unless you can provide
research to support it.
If
you write about sexual abuse involving
homosexuality, consider exploring
the larger picture. How does the
church treat gays and lesbians
in the pews and in the leadership?
And what about gay and lesbian
victims of abuse? "There's
a reluctance to talk about that," Colbert
says.
Explore
what churches say about homosexuality.
Is it a sin to be gay or lesbian?
Does the church expect a gay man
or a lesbian to be celibate?
We
also urge our colleagues to consider
how issues relate to one another.
If a church is fighting gay rights,
is it also taking equal aim at
other societal problems such as
divorce or premarital sex? If not,
why not? Explore the motivations
behind the targeting of particular
groups.
Sloppiness,
laziness or ignorance may swing
your coverage of religion stories
involving LGBT people in one direction
or another. By being careful, you
may avoid angry calls and letters
from both sides.
