According to a new memo from the AP, the words "husband" and "wife" should only be used to describe married gay couples if the couples themselves describe themselves that way, or if someone uses the term in a quote, Romenesko reports.
The AP memo:
SAME-SEX COUPLES: We were asked how to report about same-sex couples who call themselves “husband” and “wife.” Our view is that such terms may be used in AP content if those involved have regularly used those terms (“Smith is survived by his husband, John Jones”) or in quotes attributed to them. Generally AP uses couples or partners to describe people in civil unions or same-sex marriages.
Asks John Aravosis:
Is that AP's standard for straight couples too? Only call straight people husband and wife if the couple calls themselves husband and wife? I doubt it….Why does it matter if gay people uses the terms husband and wife to define their legal marriage if AP doesn't have the same standard for straight couples – AP doesn't say if the couple is straight they'll only call them husband and wife if “those involved have regularly used those terms.” So why the different standard for legal gay marriages? Because AP doesn't think gay marriages are legit, and certainly not equal to straight marriages.
WTF does “those involved” mean? It's a marriage. It's not an involvement.
