Stel Kline

update: there are now 0 trans journalists working at @SDPBNews I would absolutely love to share more 🧵

@klineStel @Optimus_Mo @CHatfieldJourn @edenlane Thank you so much for your part of the conversation, Stel! I’ve preached a lot of what you had to say in my newsroom and at times feel crazy and you made me feel less alone. I’m so sorry both you and @LewisPants had the experiences you’d had in public media.

i'll be speaking on a panel today at 10:30 PST about covering trans communities w @Optimus_Mo @CHatfieldJourn and @edenlane Lots to say 😉 see you there

wow- tapes archived online at: mixcloud.com/pinewalkcollec…

If I were an underwriter I'd continue seeking answers to questions about how "people of all backgrounds are affirmed" maybe by asking: what practices does SDPB use to retain and support diverse journalists? how many leadership positions are filled by someone who's not white?

Transphobia doesn’t exist in a vacuum, it’s born out of a culture of white supremacy. The workplace was inhospitable to all ppl w marginalized identities. Speaking w former employees after my termination underscored this. to state the obvious: this. is. not. unique. to. sdpb

i recently learned employees at Friends of @SDPB are calming underwriters concerns about my firing by assuring them "SDPB is an affirming place to work for people of all backgrounds" and that being trans had nothing to do with my termination

original post by @RealLeeBruns I deleted a previous tweet incorrectly tagging a school in MA (sorry @watertownhigh !) we're talking about the SD watertown HS found here watertown.k12.sd.us

Students told Watertown HS German teacher Cal Hillesland they use a different name than what's on the roster He gave them this letter w a DVD + candy "Every cell in your body is female..it's the truth I want to encourage you to pursue. That's what a good teacher does right?"

@redheadedneener @watertownhigh oop. maybe elon will add an edit button to tweets in the coming months here's their official website, watertown.k12.sd.us apologies in advance Massachusetts @watertownhigh

@RealLeeBruns was trying to squeeze in german teacher, 140 is not enough characters!

I’m not trans. But as a black journalist, I’ve definitely had editors use the “you’re not objective” and “the audience won’t understand” tropes detailed in this thread. It’s always funny that the only journalists who are objective are those who happen to fit the traditional mold.

Important thread by @klineStel on “objectivity” being wielded against them in the workplace because. As Stel notes, the real bias here is being exhibited by newsroom leaders who believe forcing a trans employee to hide their identity gives listeners the “best impression.”

Thank you everyone for the support. From reporters and editors at neighboring member stations, former employees of SDPB, trans people from all over and especially from listeners. I loved hosting, and hope to be doing it again soon.

@AmyRambow @SDPBNews I'm so glad to have met you too, Amy. It looks like SDPB has removed my byline from their website, so here's a direct link to the piece I made about the We're Here premiere party you hosted listen.sdpb.org/arts-life/2021…

update: there are now 0 trans journalists working at @SDPBNews I would absolutely love to share more 🧵

Teri was an archeologist at the South Dakota State Historical Society Archaeological Research Center. he began a lawsuit to get state health insurance to cover gender affirming care. The lawsuit closed when Teri died by suicide in 2019. aclusd.org/en/cases/bruce…

SDPB is owned by the State of South Dakota, as I begin my wrongful termination appeal I am guided by the resistance and courage of other trans state employees- especially Teri Bruce.