• Corrections
• Editorial Independence
• Fundraising Guidelines
• Conflict of Interest
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion

Corrections

The Trans Journalists Association is committed to accuracy and transparency. We will respond promptly to any claim that our publications present an inaccurate fact or invades a right of privacy. We will also make updates promptly if information emerges post-publication that makes it necessary to update or clarify information.

If a reader or subject of a story believes that some statement is inaccurate or otherwise actionable, that person can request a correction by sending a request to feedback@transjournalists.org.

Please include an email address or any other contact information at which you can be reached. Our stylebook and editorial team will carefully review any potential inaccuracy and decide whether an article needs to be corrected or modified in some other way. Whether a correction is made will be at the sole discretion of the editorial team.

When we do make corrections, here’s how you’ll know:

• We label these notes “Editor’s note,” include the date and time of the amendment, specify whether a change is a correction or update, and explain what prompted the revision. We do not repeat the error.
• Per the policies recommended in our own newsroom resource guide, we update names, pronouns, and/or photos to reflect gender transitions. We do not generally identify updates made to reflect gender transitions, but may make exceptions in rare instances.
  • We only make such changes if the person affected requests it. 
  • If you would like us to update a past newsletter, article, or other past publication that uses outdated information, you must reach out directly to feedback@transjournalists.org. 
• We don’t note update dates for minor typographical alterations.

Our stylebook and coverage guide is an evolving document. We do not track specific changes unless they merit correction. Any update to a stylebook entry or the overall stylebook will be reflected in its most recent update date. 

Editorial Independence

We subscribe to standards of editorial independence adopted by the Institute for Nonprofit News.

Our organization retains full authority over editorial content to protect the best journalistic and business interests of our organization. We maintain a firewall between sources of all revenue and the production of our coverage materials, resources, events, and programming. Acceptance of financial support does not constitute implied or actual endorsement of donors or their products, services, or opinions.

We accept gifts, grants, and sponsorships from individuals and organizations for the general support of our activities, but our news judgments are made independently and not on the basis of donor support. Read more about our fundraising guidelines.

Our organization may consider donations to support the coverage or research in coverage of particular topics, but our organization maintains editorial control of the resulting resources, reports, or recommendations. We will cede no right of review or influence of editorial content, nor of unauthorized distribution of editorial content.

Our organization makes public all donors who give a total of $5,000 or more per year. We will accept anonymous donations for general support only if it is clear that sufficient safeguards have been put into place that the expenditure of that donation is made independently by our organization and in compliance with INN’s Membership Standards.

Fundraising Guidelines

The Trans Journalists Association is committed to transparency in every aspect of funding our organization. The TJA raises revenue from a variety of sources to ensure organizational and financial health, and to further our mission of advancing fair and accurate coverage of trans communities and promoting professional development of trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive journalists.

The TJA's potential funding sources include grants from nonprofit, nonpartisan philanthropic foundations; sponsorships from nonprofit and for-profit organizations; event registration fees; member contributions; individual donations; fee-for-service contracts and other forms of mission-specific earned income; and various forms of paid advertising.

All those who contribute commit to helping us preserve our organizational and editorial independence and agree that the TJA retains sole editorial control over its programming, content, and decision-making.

The TJA seeks to avoid funding arrangements likely to:

• Raise questions about the TJA's independence.
• Present a conflict of interest with our work.
• Go against the TJA's commitment to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, age, appearance, or religion.

Additionally, we emphasize the following policies:

• All financial contributors to TJA agree to the operational independence of the organization and the editorial independence of its members.
• We reserve the right to refuse any proposed sponsor, partner, or advertiser for any reason.
• Any entity wishing to represent itself as a partner organization to the TJA may only use our name, logo, or other information with TJA's written approval.
• Accepting financial support does not mean we endorse donors/sponsors or their products, services, or opinions.
• Sponsors or advertisers may not select panelists or speakers for any TJA events. TJA retains sole discretion over the selection of panelists or speakers.
• We do not accept any sponsored messaging or paid advertising from political parties, elected officials, political candidates, or from individuals or entities related to specific legislation.
• We make public all revenue sources and donors who give $5,000 or more per year.
• We will allow for anonymity only in cases approved by the board of directors.
• We will not accept more than 15% of our yearly revenue in donations from anonymous sources.

The TJA's board of directors reviews and decides all potential sponsors and funding arrangements.

Read more about our Code of Ethics here.

Conflict of Interest

Diversity, equity, and inclusion

The Trans Journalists Association is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the diversity and nuance of the trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive community, as well as the broader news audiences we serve. We especially encourage applications by members of traditionally underrepresented communities, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, and formerly incarcerated people.

The Trans Journalists Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, age, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage, religion, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, genetic trait or predisposition, carrier status, citizenship, veteran or military status and other personal characteristics protected by law. All applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics. 

See also our Code of Ethics for members. 

Equal Employment Opportunity policy

It is the policy of the TJA to maintain an inclusive work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. This policy applies to all employment practices and personnel actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, disciplinary actions, and termination. It covers all employees, applicants for employment, volunteers, and contractors associated with TJA.

Policy Guidelines

Non-Discrimination

TJA will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any protected characteristic. This includes but is not limited to:

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• Sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions)
• Sexual orientation
• Gender identity or expression
• National origin
• Age
• Disability
• Veteran status
• Any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws

Reasonable Accommodations

TJA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. This includes making adjustments to work environments, policies, or procedures to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Harassment-Free Workplace

TJA prohibits all forms of harassment, including but not limited to sexual harassment, bullying, and other unwelcome behaviors. Harassment of any form is considered a serious violation of this policy and will not be tolerated. Any employee who feels they have been subjected to harassment should report it immediately to the organization by emailing feedback@transjournalists.org.

Complaint Procedure

The TJA strongly urges the reporting of all incidents of discrimination, harassment or retaliation, regardless of the offender’s identity or position. Any harassing conduct, even a single incident, can be reported under this policy.

Employees and applicants who believe they have been subjected to discrimination or harassment are encouraged to report their concerns to the Executive Director, TJA board members, or by submitting this form. Reports of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation may be made verbally or in writing. 

All complaints will be investigated promptly and thoroughly, and appropriate corrective action will be taken if necessary.

Compliance and Monitoring

TJA will regularly review and update its employment practices to ensure compliance with applicable laws and to promote a diverse and inclusive workplace. The organization will also conduct training programs under applicable state laws to ensure that all employees understand and adhere to our policies.

Retaliation Prohibition

TJA prohibits retaliation against any individual who reports discrimination, harassment, or other violations of this policy or who participates in an investigation related to such matters. Retaliatory actions will be treated as a serious violation of this policy and will result in appropriate disciplinary action.

Even if the alleged harassment does not turn out to rise to the level of a violation of law, the individual is protected from retaliation if the person had a good faith belief that the practices were unlawful. However, the retaliation provision is not intended to protect persons making intentionally false charges of harassment.