The San Francisco Chronicle reassigned reporter Rachel Gordon and photographer Liz Mangelsdorf in light of their marriage to each other. Gordon and Mangelsdorf had been covering the same-sex marriage story and their reassignment takes them off of certain parts of the story.
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation met with senior editorial staff of the Chronicle, including Executive Vice President and Editor Phil Bronstein. GLAAD also had several conversations with Rachel Gordon and Liz Mangelsdorf. GLAAD's intent was:
— to get clarity and context around the Chronicle's decision;
— to communicate the community's questions and concerns whether the journalists' sexual orientation, per se, had anything to do with the decision;
— to ensure that the Chronicle's coverage of the same-sex marriage story remained fair, accurate and extensive.
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Since there have been different versions of the story floating around, here are some of GLAAD's findings:
— Gordon and Mangelsdorf are not 'in trouble.' They are still employed and in good standing. Gordon is still on the City Hall beat where she will continue to report on aspects of the same-sex marriage story.
— The Chronicle is interested in reaching out to the community and continuing to explore the challenge—the new territory, if you will—of drawing policy lines of where a journalist or the media are considered part of the story.
