Fox replaces ‘gender-affirming care’ with ‘sex change’ or ‘sex reassignment’

“In one of the most recent examples, Fox fabricated a quote from an Oregon state senator,” Gingerich reports. “AP and Reuters confirmed that altering their content to change the meaning or accuracy of the reporting violates their rules.”Fox moved from changing headlines to changing story texts with an AP article it reposted April 27, Gingerich reports. “Over the last two months, Fox News has altered at least 18 articles from the AP and one from Reuters on anti-trans legislation that are credited exclusively to the respective outlets. No notes or citations are made clarifying any changes.” Her story cites each examples of changes.

Gingerich explains, “Gender-affirming care is a broad term that encompasses an array of essential services for trans and nonbinary people that can include both medical care — such as therapy and medication — as well as non medical services, like changing the way you dress or what pronouns you use.” She notes conservative information outlets like The Daily Signal “castigated the cable network for its occasional ‘use of activist language like “gender affirming care” in stories on its website, as well as the site’s consistent use of female pronouns for biological males.’ Last year, Fox News’ Laura Ingraham similarly called on people to stop using the term, claiming it was a ‘misleading euphemism’. The medical professionals providing gender-affirming care, and who overwhelmingly support trans youth’s access to care, do not share that sentiment.”

Last year AP added a topical guide to its Stylebook, giving guidance “not to use outdated terms, singling out ‘sex change’ as one to avoid,” Gingerich notes.