The issue of news outlets using the preferred pronouns of individuals accused of serious crimes, including murder, is sparking significant debate
Robin Westman, the 23-year-old transgender individual who changed name from Robert to Robin in 2019, this week killed two children and injured 17 others during a Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis. Westman, a biological male identifying as female, died by suicide after the attack.
Media Response: Several outlets, including The Washington Post, NBC News, ABC News, The Daily Mail, and Newsweek, referred to Westman using feminine pronouns ("she/her") and described them as a "transgender woman" or "daughter" in their coverage. For example, The Washington Post used "she" and noted Westman’s name change, while ABC News highlighted Westman’s female gender marker on their driver’s license. NBC News described Westman as a person in "her early 20s" and referenced disturbing YouTube videos.
Criticism: Critics, including posts on X and conservative outlets like The Daily Caller and NewsBusters, argued that using Westman’s preferred pronouns prioritizes gender identity over the gravity of the crime, potentially distracting from the victims—two young children.
Some accused media of pandering to "woke" ideology. For instance, CNN’s Jake Tapper was criticized on X for emphasizing Westman’s pronouns during a broadcast, calling it disrespectful to the victims.