Iranian Cleric gives slant on how gay kids are made_The Star_17 April 2015

TITTLE: Iranian Cleric gives slant on how gay kids are made

NAME OF PUBLICATION: The Star

DATE: 17 April 2015

COUNTRY: South Africa

THEME: Social Orientation and gender identity

GENRE: News

GEM Classification: BLATANT STEREOTYPE

This story presents an example of a problematic blurring of the lines between sex and sexuality

The story coming from South Africa’s The Star titled “Iranian cleric gives his slant on how gay kids are made,” is a typical example of editors choosing the sensational over the educational.

The story which is picked up from another newspaper Daily Mail  the Star’s team chose to give a substantial amount of space – and placement as the top story on page 3 – to a piece about a “celebrity preacher” from Iran who believes that “thinking about another woman while having sex with your wife will make your children gay.”

 As with the other shorter pieces (and despite its length) this story, which also presents offensive sexist comments, has only one source – the preacher – and does not present the views of LGBT people.

The story is comes from a patriarchal perspective, with no views of women or members of the LGBT community. The views from the single source are coming from a voice of authority the article is damaging to LGBTI persons.

It reduces LGBTI issues to a spectacle of ridicule because of the outrageous comments carried in the story. Rather than give clarity on the already contentious issue of LGBTI communities the story further confuses the reader. It misses the opportunity to educate the general populace on the issue. With very little coverage on the issue, this article fails to challenge any stereotype relating to the topic but further reinforces wrong perceptions.