Beyond the Binary
Navigating Spanish Inclusive Language in Journalism School as a Non-Binary Latine
Editor’s note: This essay is part of the “Authentic Self” series, which is part of the initiative "More LGBTQIA+ Latinx in Newsrooms." It aims to share stories and underscore the importance of hiring more queer reporters in newsrooms. The series is a project of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists’ LGBTQIA+ Committee, palabra and GLAAD.
Words by Gisselle Medina, @GisselleeMedina. Edited by Luis Joel Méndez González, @m_joel17, and Tat Bellamy–Walker, @bell_tati. Fact-Checked by David Cordero Mercado, @David_cmercado.
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When I came out as non-binary during my freshman year at the University of California, Berkeley, I had few spaces to explore my gender beyond the binary, let alone translate those identities in Spanish. At the time, my university lacked many advocacy and educational programs specifically for transgender and gender-nonconforming students in the grand scheme of LGBTQIA+ resources. I often felt like I didn't quite belong anywhere.
It was challenging for me as I grappled with not just my non-binary identity, but my Queer and Latino identities as well, attempting to figure out how to identify with multiple identities when the environment I grew up in refused to acknowledge the existence of LGBTQIA+ people. How could I be Queer and non-binary in a Mexican culture that adheres to a strictly gender-binary language, holds traditional gender expectations who view my pursuit of education and a career as selfish rather than conforming to a housewife role, and disapproved of my departure from feminine presentation? I also lacked the time to navigate this journey on my own, as I was preoccupied with concerns about financially supporting myself while working 45 hours a week, simultaneously maintaining full-time student status, and trying to build a social life while being involved in clubs and organizations. I couldn't find in school a community that identified in similar ways or could possibly understand. These few years were lonely for me.
‘In my graduate school, there are few lessons dedicated to inclusive language. Since professors haven’t recognized this issue, I’ve decided to take it into my own hands.’
Three years later, I'm one of few non-binary Latine students in my graduate school, and the only fluent Spanish speaker in the journalism program. Despite the common practice of professors requesting people's pronouns, incorrect assumptions are still made when they address us. There is a noticeable lack of lessons on integrating inclusive language into our reporting, particularly in the context of languages other than English.
In today's rapidly evolving media landscape, journalism graduate schools often fall short in adequately preparing their students for the essential tools of inclusive Spanish language and a deep understanding of identities beyond the binary genders of men and women. This oversight reverberates through the journalism profession, particularly affecting our next generation journalists entering newsrooms. As news organizations strive to mirror the diversity of the societies they serve, journalists must be well-prepared to report on and engage with marginalized communities effectively.
This issue begins with the limited acceptance of gender non-conforming students at universities. According to a 2023 Dimension Admission report, out of admissions data from over 1,000 colleges, almost two percent of college applicants self-identify as nonbinary, “another gender,” or marked more than one response. Meanwhile, at the top 20 universities in the country, including the Ivy league schools, less than one percent identify as non-binary or another gender. However, this gap arises from incomplete data, as only 12 of the top 20 universities include categories for non-binary or “other gender” students, with just four out of eight Ivy League universities providing this data.
Gisselle Medina visits New York taking photos for a personal photo essay. Photo courtesy of author
In my graduate school, there are few lessons dedicated to inclusive language. Since professors haven’t recognized this issue, I’ve decided to take it into my own hands. As an active member of my NLGJA (The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists) and NAHJ (National Association of Hispanic Journalists) students chapters, involved in leadership positions, I plan to discuss the possibility of hosting a workshop on inclusive language. During this workshop, LGBTQIA+ Latine journalists would speak to our school about how to incorporate inclusive language into reporting.
Is the adoption of inclusive language that difficult to incorporate into a curriculum? The answer is yes, since Spanish is inherently grammatically gendered.
Last year, a UC Berkeley research paper about gender inclusive Spanish language in classrooms described how Spanish language is heavily gendered and reproduces the gender binary. This lack of awareness as well as the limited efforts to address these challenges lead to an absence of inclusive vocabulary and teaching materials. This also reinforces heteronormative stereotypes and binary assumptions about gender and sexuality.
The research paper suggests that while there are no one-size-fits-all solutions or toolkits that can guarantee the removal of gender bias and gender binaries from our classrooms, journalism schools should focus on creating thoughtful spaces for professional discussions that acknowledge the ever-evolving nature of language.
‘Journalism schools play a pivotal role in shaping the ethical and inclusive practices of future reporters.’
Language serves as a construct that enables communication, reflecting our identities and functioning as a cultural phenomenon. It is far from neutral, as it inherently intertwines with social issues, encompassing power dynamics, representation, what is deemed permissible, and who possesses the privilege of expression. Inclusive language, to me, supports identities that exist beyond this binary framework, providing a simple yet meaningful way to express oneself while acknowledging the complexity of identities. This is especially important for Spanish speakers, whose language often relies on gendered terms, as using inclusive language can validate and affirm one's identity.
The absence of inclusive language lessons in journalism schools exacerbates the harmful impact of not incorporating gender-inclusive Spanish in newsrooms. Without proper training, journalists are more prone to perpetuating sexist and transphobic stereotypes and reinforcing biases that can alienate non-binary and gender non-conforming communities in their news stories.
Journalism schools play a pivotal role in shaping the ethical and inclusive practices of future reporters. In the absence of targeted education on gender-inclusive language, journalists may inadvertently contribute to the marginalization of these communities, further emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive and inclusive language training within journalism education.
This underscores the pressing need for extensive and inclusive language training in journalism education. This training should address not only the inadvertent misuse of gendered language by journalists, reflecting insensitivity, but also the potential creation of communication barriers between reporters and their sources. These barriers can impede the establishment of trust and hinder the accurate and nuanced representation of underrepresented communities.
Gisselle speaking at the Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists (NLGJA) convention about their photo essay about Queer joy in Philadelphia, 2023. Photo courtesy of author
A more robust integration of comprehensive and regularly updated inclusive language lessons in journalism schools is imperative to foster a media landscape that is sensitive, respectful, and authentically representative of diverse voices. These lessons should encompass not only the basics of gender-inclusive language but also delve into the nuances of cultural sensitivity, avoiding stereotypes and promoting a deeper understanding of diverse identities. By incorporating practical examples and real-world case studies, journalism schools can equip future reporters with the necessary tools to navigate the intricacies of language and ensure their reporting authentically reflects the rich tapestry of human experiences. Moreover, interactive workshops and discussions within these lessons can encourage open dialogue, fostering an environment where students can learn, ask questions, and challenge biases, contributing to a more inclusive and empathetic generation of journalists.
For those of us working in this field, it is a matter of upholding our commitment to truth. The truth is that non-binary and gender non-conforming people grapple with the exclusionary nature of gendered and binary language. These binary distinctions directly marginalize the LGBTQ+ community daily and we need to do everything in our power to change that. This includes integrating inclusive language into journalism school curricula and questioning why traditional norms persist in language use, challenging outdated structures that perpetuate discrimination. Embracing inclusive language is not just a linguistic adjustment; it is a transformative step toward fostering a more equitable and respectful journalistic landscape that accurately reflects the diversity of human experiences. Another crucial step is to hire more LGBTQIA+ Latine reporters in newsrooms to amplify diverse voices and foster a more representative media landscape.
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Gisselle Medina is a proud Latine and queer individual born in L.A. and raised in Fresno. They received their bachelor’s degree in English from UC Berkeley in 2022 and will graduate with a master’s degree from UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism in 2024. They were part of the NAHJ and NLGJA’s student projects in 2023, where they reported mainly on topics of concern for the LGBTQIA+ community. Medina’s focus is to carve slices in the "stories of the moment,” through timely, in-depth reporting that provides context and centers people who are presented multidimensionally.
Luis Joel Méndez González reports on climate change and disaster recovery for the Center for Investigative Journalism through Report for America since 2022. He is an experienced data-driven and multimedia reporter. Méndez González holds a Masters Degree in Data Visualization and Information Design, and sits on NAHJ´s Board of Directors as General At-Large Officer. He´s also co-chair of the LGBTQIA+ Committee.
Tat Bellamy Walker is the communities reporter for the Seattle Times, where he reports on diverse groups throughout the Pacific Northwest. Last year, he reported for NBC News' diversity verticals (NBC Latino, BLK, OUT and Asian America). In 2021, he was named a Poynter-Koch Media and Journalism Fellow, where he joined more than 50 local journalists from newsrooms across the US. His work has appeared in the Daily Beast, Business Insider and CNN.
David Cordero Mercado is a multimedia and investigative journalist. He has reported on hate crimes in Puerto Rico as a reporter for El Nuevo Día, the biggest newspaper on the island. He earned a master's degree in Communications with an emphasis in Journalism Innovation from Syracuse University in New York, and a bachelor's degree in Information and Journalism from the School of Communication of the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, as well as a second concentration in Political Science. He is also the Region 1 Director on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.