By: (AP)
The New York Times plans to begin publishing announcements of same-sex commitment ceremonies along with its wedding announcements.
The announcements of formal gay and lesbian unions will begin next month in the paper's Sunday "Styles" section, Howell Raines, executive editor of the
Times, said in Sunday's editions.
The
Times is the largest newspaper in the U.S. to run such announcements. The New York Times Co.-owned
Boston Globe is reviewing the matter and may also soon announce a similar change in its policy.
Some smaller newspapers are also recognizing the ceremonies.
The Fayetteville (N.C.)
Observer recently ran its first same-sex union announcement.
"In making this change, we acknowledge the newsworthiness of a growing and visible trend in society toward public celebrations of commitment by gay and lesbian couples -- celebrations important to many of our readers, their families, and their friends," Raines said.
"We recognize that the society remains divided about the legal and religious definition of marriage, and our news columns will remain impartial in that debate, reporting fully on all points of view," he said.
Gay and lesbian couples featured in the paper will be selected by editors under the same criteria used to choose the weddings: the newsworthiness and accomplishments of the couples and their families, Raines said.
Occasionally the "Vows" column, a longer feature on one couple, will focus on a same-sex couple, Raines said.
Following the newspaper's announcement, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) said it was launching an effort to double within a year the number of local and regional newspapers that list same-sex commitment ceremonies, unions, and weddings. GLAAD estimates that 70 U.S. newspapers currently carry the listings in paid or unpaid sections.
A list of papers that carry same-sex union announcements is available at
www.glaad.org.
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