The Times' Drag Queen Problem

[***UPDATE: I was wrong about the post below. There is indeed a reference to drag, as Choire Sicha rightly points out.*** But the Times still deals with the  drag angle remarkably gingerly.  A full rejoiner is at the end of this post.]

In the wee hours of Friday night,  teenagers in the West Village taunted, dragged, and beat a prominent drag queen named Kevin Aviance.

Seems like a relatively straightforward story to report--but not if you're the New York Times, whose delicate sensitivities preclude it from refering directly to such shameful acts...and I'm not talking about the attack.

Take a look at the NYT's two stories on the attack.  You won't find those dirty words, "drag queen," or any other clear reference to that, ahem, lifestyle.  

Instead, Aviance is a "dance recording artist,"  a "Manhattan singer," or in the coup de grace, part of a "group of like-minded people."

Excuse me for a moment while I check my calendar to make sure it's not the 1950s.

 

P.S. Who does the Times think it's protecting? Does it think Aviance is ashamed of being a drag queen? Does it think readers can't handle the fact that some men occasionally dress as women...and...get this, get this...they sing?

UPDATE: My response to Choire Sicha's email:

Choire Sicha  is right and I was wrong: The Times did indeed include a reference to drag. (Serves me right for thinking I can post without my morning coffee.) But the paper also dealt with that angle remarkably gingerly. It is only mentioned in the eighth paragraph of the first piece -- again, my fault for not noticing that -- and not at all in the second article. As for the photo that Choire cites, it's not in the print version -- nor, of course, are the url tip-offs.

Here's what I suggest: Readers should take a look at both stories (here and here) and judge for themselves whether the Times is oddly, tip-toeing  around the issue.

Comments

[Zathras]

Not only the Times but nearly all major newspapers routinely omit information as to the race or ethnicity of crime victims and suspects. This is often commented upon by readers who know, for example, that a young male arrested for a shooting in Dekalb County, Georgia is most likely to be black, even though the Atlanta Journal Constitution usually does not say this.

Whether or not one agrees with the practice omitting information about a victim's likely sexual orientation is consistent with common journalistic practice. I don't have strong opinions on the matter myself, but imagine that journalists probably do.

[Frolic]

We're not talking about his sexual orientation, we're talking about his profession. He dresses as a woman and sings. This is why he's known.

[Jon]

The NYT once actually used the term "drag" to bizarrely describe a non-drag outfit worn by Jennifer Garner on "Alias."

Link:

http://blogoland.blogspot.com/2005/01/jennifer-garner-shes-our-man.html

[jst]

And in a metro story the other day, a quote about how stolen laptops might have been fenced was followed by a hilarious explanation of what the word "fence" means

[GTA]

As anyone familiar with Kevin Aviance and his brand of performance and song can tell you, he is most definitely NOT a "drag queen." If you're looking for journalistic authenticity in the description of his profession, his forte is actually androgynous performance and writers would be more correct likening him to Leigh Bowery rather than RuPaul.

[Nate]

I'm just curious as to why you seem to think this is some sort of controversial decision or act of deception on the part of the Times. Seriously, why should the fact that he performs in drag (if he even does) be mentioned prominently in the story, especially since he wasn't IN drag when the beating took place.

I'm sure you'd never say it openly, or admit it, and you may not even really believe it, but I have to imagine that the only reason you're suggesting that this is a big deal is that you think (or want to imply) that his status as a "drag queen" somehow explains or "justifies" his beating.

[Raymond]

Drag schmag...

Mr Aviance is a human being
who did not deserve to be viciously beaten by a
bunch of punks, regardless.
I lived in Queens and was a
teen when Kitty was ignored
to death. Shame on those
who stood and watched Mr
Aviance being 'put in the
hospital' and kicked a dozen
times in the head. Who
cares how it was reported.

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