esrosedotblog

STRAIGHT AS AN ARROW

Few may remember that The New York Times was later than any other major media outlet in covering gay news. Until 1987, they would not allow the term 'gay' to be used.

I took it personally.

I remember the seething resentment when we would learn what was not covered or, yet again, to hear that appeals for using the 'g' word went unheeded

Now, with Abe Rosenthal's death, the story behind this hurtful recalcitrance is told.

Larry Gross: Abe Rosenthal's Reign of Homophobia at The New York Times

No one could figure it out.

They did great harm.

Their failure to cover the AIDS epidemic in its early days did nothing to save lives or to inform a general populace about the disease.

Longer term there were no stories on gay rights; no support whatsoever.

This, in a city that is so disproportionately gay.

So, so long Abe.

You old bastard.