Outrage across social media as The Sun newspaper publishes “Tran and Wife” story
The Sun newspaper have published a front page story titled “Tran and Wife” amidst coverage of trans activists Jake Graf and Hannah Winterbourne’s marriage to each other over the weekend.
The article, which shows a picture of the two at their wedding on Friday – as well as photographs of both Jake and Hannah before transitioning – is captioned by the subtitle “Jake who used to be a woman weds Hannah who was a man”.
Responding to the front page splash, Graf tweeted: Following such a lovely, positive article from @Emskibeat in today’s @TheSun it’s a real shame that it’s been cheapened by such a sensationalised and misleading headline.
“@hannahw253 was never a man, as I was never a woman. #trans #fact.”
https://twitter.com/JakeGraf1/status/978527784967524352
Many have responded to Graf’s tweet with disgust and support:
“Two people who love each other get married” clearly not exciting enough. Sigh.
Congratulations.— Janet’s in Brixton (@1isthinking) March 27, 2018
Shame on the Sun. You are are both wonderful people. #Pride #LGBT #StopFundingHate
— Douggie B-W MBE #FBPE (@douggie_ward) March 27, 2018
Disgusting headline.
If you changed trans for any other term used in a derogatory way people would be up in arms. Expect nothing more from the rag the blamed Liverpool supporters for Hillsborough disaster.
What an opportunity to be positive wasted…
— rachael0x75🏳️🌈 (@rjc0x75) March 27, 2018
One has to question the workings of the mind of the editor @tonygallagher and how he thinks it is ok to discriminate and attack people who are different with this lead story. It is just ugly, nasty and ignorant. Are we surprised by the @TheSun ? No. But that doesn’t make it right
— Bad Banjo Botherer (@glenmeskell) March 27, 2018
Speaking to OutNews Global, Graf said: “The Sun headline is disappointing, offensive and highly problematic, to say the least.
“What could have been an entirely positive piece has sadly ended up getting lost in anger and furore about the terrible headline and front page.
“Hannah and I were really hoping for something that could open minds and educate Sun readers about the trans experience, but sadly that hasn’t been the case here.
“The wedding however was a dream, with all of our closest friends there to watch us tie the knot, the most beautiful bride any man has ever seen, and a truly emotional and happy day.
“We’ve already settled back into daily life as a married couple, but are very much looking forward to our honeymoon in May.”
The Sun reported on Hannah and Jake's wedding on the front page of its print edition with the headline 'Tran and wife': https://t.co/izYSZcn3x7
— Trans Media Watch (@TransMediaWatch) March 27, 2018
A spokesperson for the UK-based organisation Trans Media Watch said: “Nice picture – and article. Shame about the headline.
“The Sun’s coverage of the wedding of trans couple, Jake Graf and Hannah Winterbourne, was not bad and light years on from the sort of coverage we might have expected ten years ago. This is as it should be.
“They were reporting on a happy event – a wedding – and the core message, for Sun readers and beyond, is that not all trans stories are tragic.
“So why go with such a disrespectful headline? There are many many ways to report on trans people without going for cheap wordplay around their gender identity.
“Our thanks, therefore to the Sun for covering the event, but, as they themselves might put it, our messsage to them is: your headline writer needs a good rapping!”
Learn more about Trans Media Watch and their work here.
