Press Release from PSEC

ASSOCIATED PRESS DISTRIBUTES TRANSGENDER-INSENSITIVE STORY ON THE DISCRIMINATION CASE OF 17 YEAR-OLD KASEY CARON OF JOHNSTOWN, PA.

HARRISBURG, Pa., – This morning, the Associated Press distributed coverage of an unfolding case of discrimination against transgender high school student Kasey Caron of Johnstown, Pa. The Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition is deeply troubled by the insensitivity of the Associated Press in their coverage.

In the article, the Associated Press opts to avoid the word “transgender,” entirely, and instead refer to Caron as being “biologically female,” overlooking his gender identity. In fact, the AP writers seems to be so uncomfortable with transgender issues, that rather than using any pronouns, they repeat Kasey’s name over and over again- despite the fact that the AP Stylebook clearly instructs journalists to use a person’s preferred pronoun.

While the AP reports that Caron “says” his driver’s license has been changed to identify him as male, it in fact has been changed, as Caron showed to the school board at Monday evening’s meeting. This is a fact that the AP decided to put in quotes, which conveys to readers the statement is questionable. Another detail omitted from the coverage of the school board meeting? The more than 100 students and community members in attendance, wearing blue in support of Kasey.

The last paragraph of the AP article quotes school board solicitor, Tim Leventry, who at Monday night’s meeting, misgendered Kasey to his own mother. “Leventry says a physician must certify any sex change and a person’s birth certificate must be changed in Pennsylvania.” Nowhere is it stated that Caron is a minor, for whom a gender affirming surgery can be unfeasible, due to both the cost and the health risks for a young person.

The Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition will continue to work with Kasey through this ordeal to ensure the media accurately reports his story. Media coverage which does not treat Kasey with the dignity and respect which he deserves is unacceptable, and will be brought to light.

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