Arizona News Media Fails to Tell Real Story Behind Constitutional Amendment Proposal

Too often politicians use the LGBT community as a “wedge issue” in political campaigns, but it is inexcusable when the media assists politicians in this task.

A proposed constitutional amendment in Arizona would forever prohibit loving, committed couples in that state from achieving their hopes and dreams and the basic freedoms and protections their families need.   The proposal cleared the state house on Monday, May 12. 

Rather than focusing on the impact of such legislation, and the harm it will cause to gay and lesbian people in Arizona, the media turned the conversation into one about political gamesmanship, partisanship, and talked of legislative maneuverings. One columnist, Amanda Crawford, went so far as to turn the argument around and imply that trying to stop this legislation was actually an attack on straight couples.  Instead, it was an attempt to try and stop a constitutional amendment aimed at forever limiting the ability of gay couples to protect themselves (and maintain the status quo in the state).  This columnist along with the news media throughout the state dropped the ball on really highlighting the news story here.  GLAAD will continue to challenge the media to do a better job of telling the real news stories behind this political gamesmanship.

Paul Karr is Director of Media Field Strategy