Thank you for issuing this apology, and I will look forward to seeing it in the paper. Perhaps this would be an excellent opportunity for the Mercury to invite leaders from the trans community in for sensitivity training? I always find that apologies ring hollow without action to follow. I would love to see the Mercury educate its staff against further mishaps.

I think it's commendable, Ann, for admitting when you've made a mistake. It's so easy to brush things off and say "but it's a joke!" or to claim hypersensitivity on your readers, but it's another thing to take responsibility for your words and to admit when you're wrong. It would have been an easy path to say "but some of my best friends are trans" or "my grandmother worked for the trans community for a hundred years" or whatever. So thank you for being responsible with your words and what you put out to the world: if only other writers, bloggers, members of the media could do the same.

Thank you for your apology. I wasn't even sure if my letter (or any of our letters) would even be read, but you obviously took them to heart and that is commendable. I encourage you to take Fat Feisty Femme's advice and allow in some members of the trans community to do cultural sensitivity training.

Clooney is a lousy actor and Obama is a pretty boy from Harvard Law.

Thank you for issuing this apology and so quickly.

No problem, Steve.

It's so refreshing to see someone actually caring and taking responsibility for their words and actions. Saying ignorant comments that possibly cause another person pain does happen. Admitting those words caused another person pain is admirable. Issuing an apology is exactly what more people should be BIG enough to do. Thank you for setting a good example for others.

Thank you, I really didn't expect to see this. I hope you expend at least an equal amount of energy speaking positively of the trans community.

Yes, thank you Ann. I have to chime in with the rest of the folks and say that your apology is totally appreciated. Coming from someone who did write you a letter, I have to say that I am impressed with your quick & professional response time, your straightforward way of owning your mistake and your willingness to follow it up in print next week. Humans are imperfect, we make mistakes. I, for one, forgive you!

-Katy

Nice save.

Nice save.

I've read it three times, and I don't understand why an apology was necessary? Are you going to apologize to the families of the celebrities that your paper rags on in that section as well?

sheesh.

HA Ha! That piece was hilarious. Speaking of flattened tits, check out the Spartacus ad on the right side of this page!

2 things:

@12: I'm similarly confused as to what this apology is about. a cursory google blog search didn't shed any additional light.

@13: Thank GOD I found a thread to bitch about that ad in! Does that thing get ANY click throughs?

While you are at it "Ann" you might want to spell his name right: it's Thomas Beatie not Beatty (at least you spelled his name right in the column).
The bigger shame is that readers will never know who actually penned Ann's ramblings since it is my understanding that One Day at A Time is a mix of several different writers including Oregonian columnist Chelsea Cain. Will you have the decency to at least include the author in your followup?

To "indy" and "Jake", there's one big difference. Celebrities aren't a part of an oppressed minority. Perhaps you would benefit from some of the same education that Ann claims to seek.

Or to be accurate, I should have said that celebrities, as a group, are not oppressed. You can be a celebrity and still be part of a minority group that experiences oppression.

One hundred and seventy seven words is not an accident or goof-up, nor does there appear to be any "confusion" on your part about what you believe.

One hundred and seventy seven words is not an accident or goof-up, nor does there appear to be any "confusion" on your part about what you believe.

I appreciate the apology as well. We can all stand to learn something about this subject.

Great. All better now. And when Humpy prints an apology to hippies and the elderly, the Mercury can rent a hall and we can all link arms and sing "Kumbaya."

I tend to agree with Isla -- although I'll only do it once. One hundred seventy words ain't a typo.

Sorry, that was "Community Member" I was agreeing with. I humbly apologize to Community Member and all the... members... of his or her community.

Not that I disagree with Isla. I also agree with Isla. I apologize as well to him. Or her. Not that I was PRESUMING Isla was a he.

Sorry.

Well, said, Ms Romano, Well said.

Some people scoff and call it "political correctness". Those who know better call it "just being excellent to each other".

I'm not scoffing, Mr Klein. I'm not scoffing.

Just to be clear about this.

The Merc's consistent hostility toward "hippies" and "grandpas" gets on my tit. But we won't see any changes there. Some segments of society are safe to mock, and some are not. I'm happy the trans community has found the paper receptive to its complaints. It's a start, maybe, to "just being excellent to each other." Whatever that means.

I'm done. Write some more hippie insults, Humpy.

Fair response, Guffman.

Actually the comment wasn't specifically addressed to you. You're entitled to your opinion, and I think you had some valid points there in your response to me.

"Just being excellent to each other" means pretty much what it says though. No hidden meaning. Golden Rule, that sort of thing.

Perhaps it might be instructive for you to spend less time "[considering yourself] to be a strong supporter of the community" and more time listening to what people in that community have to say.

I appreciate that. Thanks.

I've generally defined "political correctness" as "not going out of your way to hurt someone because they're different from you." Not too different from your definition. And it still stuns me that some people object to that simple concept.

Including the Mercury. Concerning hippies and "grandpas."

Assholes.

@16:

Sorry if I wasn't clear in my confusion. The article in question, while not riotously funny, just seemed to be playing around with the idea that this is a confusing moment in gender politics, specifically as it relates to pronouns. I didn't take it that the author was sneering at or invalidating anybody's choices; just trying to figure out how to refer to this particular person.

This wasn't Fox News, who called Beatie a sideshow freak and wished harm on him for daring to be different. It was a minor, irreverant, throwaway musing on lexicon from a self-proclaimed fan of the trans community.

And some people are still angry, despite what may go down as the most sincere, shirt-tearing mea culpa ever devoted to a 175-word blurb! I guess I don't understand. Directing me to "education" while offering none doesn't help, either.

Really? That's it? Obviously your column is seen by other eyes who have to approve it before it's published and everyone deserves not just an apology from you but from whomever authorized such ignorant words to be published.
I really doubt your apology is sincere since it's obvious that you are only apologizing because you had to under the expected complaints and disappointment your words caused. How can you say that you are a big supporter of the trans community when you obviously proved you are everything but supportive with your ignorance and/or blatant hatred?

Count me as one who doesn't see the need for an apology. I mean, Ann: YOU'RE RIGHT.

Thank you for your apology. It means a lot to me that you would take the time and show face and apologise.
I was surprised that a newspaper that I have been told is quite progressive would print such a piece, so I guess apologies from your editors would also be welcome.
I agree with previous suggestions that some kind of generous article on transgender issues and discriminations would be a great way to make some amends for the damage done.
Thank you.

In response to Jake (28) - it's not that difficult to understand how to refer to Mr. Beatie - he identifies as a man. It's pretty obvious that he prefers male pronouns. (Imagine if you can your own gender identity constantly being called into question, and think about how that would make you feel.) Playing around with that in this case was not motivated by confusion, but was most certainly mocking and calling into question Mr. Beatie's gender identity. The only possible motivation I can think of for writing something so disrespectful is that Ms. Romano feels uncomfortable about something she knows little about, and so chooses to "other" Mr. Beatie and attempts to draw people on board with her. "Hey folks, can you believe that freak? How weird is he?" I seem to recall this happening in grade school and junior high a lot. I would like to believe that someone who had matured past this level might not resort to this behavior.

Also, I wasn't really aware that the trans community had fans, but I certainly wouldn't count Ms. Romano as one after the remarks she made.

It's not really my responsibility to direct you to sources where you can educate yourself on people that are different than you, but even with a "cursory google search," I unearthed plenty of sites with information that would prove useful. This - http://www.gendercrash.com/101.shtml - is just one of them.

I also wrote you a letter, and I really appreciate the apology. Thank you.

God, assholes. An apology is an apology, what more do you want? And what right do you have to judge how sincere it is? I know I've written things before that came off much differently than I'd intended.

Please. Apology for what? This paper has hurled worse insults and condo dwellers than this. I liked your piece. I think its reasonable to get confused between he and she when "he" doesn't have a penis and is carrying a baby. To me that's a she, regardless of how she wants to be called.

I think of myself as open minded and sensitive to minority groups (all, not just racial), but an apology for this column seems unnecessary.

If you feel this apology was necessary then you need to have one ready for every column you write.

never apologize! It doesn't matter if you're a server, a columnist for a half-assed weekly, or the President, one should always mince words, deny, or shift blame, but never apologize. Why? Because it gives self righteous douchenozzles carte blanche to demand second, third, and fourth apologies, or worse, refute the sincerity of your initial apology, no matter the degree of clothes rending or self flagellation. For the love of God, Never Apologize!

Quentin Crisp once said, "Never apologize for anything you do on purpose." Don't be stupid. Nobody "accidentally" writes and publishes a newspaper article. Nobody "unintentionally" choses to mock a private individual in print who is at serious risk for getting killed in a hate crime, in a state with a history of media-supported anti-gay hate crimes. I don't give a damn what Ann or anyone else thinks the "correct pronouns" are. If you want Thomas Beatie to get bashed, don't apologize, you did the "right thing." If you don't, quit claiming you're already a "strong supporter" of transgender people (Oh, I'm such a good liberal, I couldn't possibly ever do anything bad...) You've been nothing of the kind.

Quentin Crisp once said, "Never apologize for anything you do on purpose." Don't be stupid. Nobody "accidentally" writes, edits, and publishes a newspaper article. Nobody "unintentionally" choses to mock a private individual in print who is at serious risk for getting killed in a hate crime, in a state with a history of media-supported anti-gay hate crimes. I don't give a damn what Ann or anyone else thinks the "correct pronouns" are. If you want Thomas Beatie to get bashed, don't apologize, you did the right thing. If you don't, quit claiming you've been a "strong supporter" of transgender people (Oh, I'm such a good liberal, I couldn't possibly ever do anything bad...) Being a hypocrite is disgusting.

The apology rings pretty hollow when you post it under the name of a fictional character. Come on!

The apology rings pretty hollow when you post it under the name of a fictional character. Come on!

Thank you Portland Mercury for printing an apology.

Thanks for the BULLSHIT apology "Ann" and nice try at covering your ass!
What is so difficult and confusing about a trans man being pregnant? I expected this kind of intolerance from mainstream news media but never from the Mercury.
It's obvious that this was an attempt at spreading hatred out of ignorance and not an accidental or unintentional commentary as your "apology" states.
Lets all thank the Mercury for adding to the already prevalent intolerance and ignorance in not just our city but in the world!

Thanks for issuing an apology. While i tend to agree with folks who point out that a 177 word article that serves the sole purpose of seeking to humiliate an entire community is probably not a typo, I do acknowledge that what you wrote is already in the past.

That said, i think issuing such a prompt apology via the internet with the promise of another one in print is a nice start. I also appreciate the apology Stephen Humphry emailed the morning to those of use who sent letters to the editor concerning this article and hope that he will follow up that apology with another one in print.

I also would like to echo the sentiments before that this article "falling through the cracks" and making it to print showcases a need for more education of your staff around trans related issues. It also presents you with the opportunity to put your printing press and access to such a large audience to good use and write some trans-related articles that don't suck so much

Hey Ann, I appreciate that you apologized for your column piece. In response to the person who said something along the lines of "what more do you want, she apologized", I want to say this:

It's rare for a marginalized community to receive an apology, and as a member of that community, it feels really good. humanizing, in fact.

On the other hand, the article/piece in question was really, really, really offensive. really offensive. imagine having a body that is essentially like thomas beatie's and then having that body broken down verbally and laid out for derision. Imagine that having a body like thomas beatie makes pursuing basic needs at best, stressful, and at worst, life-threatening. One example of this being the difficulty that most trans individuals have in seeking medical care, leaving many of us to neglect treatable conditions until they become major, sometimes fatal (yeah, actually) problems.

As someone who is read clearly as neither male or female, I walk every day with the fear of sexual and physical violence, and the reality of regular harassment/rude comments in my face all the time. It's not paranoid to think that some people want to hurt me cause of what I look like. this stuff still happens to trans people all the time (read the papers, fool). And, yeah, articles like this small, "humorous" piece contribute to dehumanization of trans people, and to making it respectable, acceptable to hold prejudices against anyone who doesnt conform to our ideas of gender normal-ness.

So, getting an apology is definitely, definitely appreciated (at least by some of those offended) but it does not negate the harm or the hurt triggered by the original piece being published. I'm going to imagine that at best 1/100 of the original readers of ann's column actually read the apology, and I'm pretty sure that's way, way generous.

So, yeah, I'm pro sensitivity training. but how bout getting some *writers* from various trans communities in the paper?

how bout an article and a larger community discussion about some of the shit being brought up by this issue. To me, that would an actually positive outcome. Give it a try, Portland Merc. Put your money where your mouth is.

Thanks for the apology. I'm a huge fan of the Merc, but the paper can only get better by focusing on inclusion and welcoming of minority identities in our extended community.

and the award for most unintentionally hilarious comment goes to the twisted panties (or are those boxer briefs?) of rb @42, who says:

"What is so difficult and confusing about a trans man being pregnant?"

what on earth is wrong with acknowledging that there IS something confusing and, for some, even difficult, about a trans man being pregnant? nobody loves the binary gender system—but to the extent that anyone actually gives a shit, "he's having a baby" is CONFUSING.

Seemed like that "gag" was the author's inability to grasp a confusing situation.

Which is what a man who was formerly a woman who is now again a woman (sorta) for the sole purpose to have a baby can be construed as.

A bit snide, sure. Last I checked this wasn't exactly The Financial Times.

I echo people's thanks for printing your apology for your piece about Thomas Beatie.

But the Portland Mercury should show that you are "big fans of your pals in the trans community" by actually covering trans issues in a thoughtful way. It's appropriate since Portland has one of the biggest trans communities in the U.S. Make that commitment, and I'll start reading your paper again.

Let's see, woman believes she should really be a man and takes step to reach that goal, legally changes gender but then stops short (yes, pun intended). Wants to go back to being a woman (sort of) by getting pregnant. He/She goes on talk shows, look at me, "raising the issue". A columnist satirically reflects the understandable confusion of the general public and then is forced to make an apology for fear of hundreds of raging trannies storming the Mercury's offices.

Yep, that about sums it up.

Mercury, DO NOT go sensitive on me. Don't be pussies...or dicks as the case may or may not be.

"It's obvious that this was an attempt at spreading hatred out of ignorance" (rb) gets my vote for Most Convoluted Sentence That Also Is Probably Untrue. A stupid joke went awry, and now its author is a fucking nazi. Nice.

And I hate to break this one to you, but no, this paper does not necessarily need to be nice to everyone. It is ethically bound to not openly foment hatred, but doing a short satiric piece mocking what a lot of people might think of trannies is still okay, and in no way means they need re-education.

Cool. Good job, Ann.

Apologize? Has the Mercury gone Willamette Weak or Snoregonian sleepy?

I thought "Ann" was a chick with balls.

Sign me,
disgusted at the cave-in

Ramalaka from the
most-over-complimented-city-in-the-USA

If Ann was "a chick with balls," she'd probably have a better understanding of trans issues, wouldn't you think?

no need for an apology. there are a lot of people, including people in the gay community, who are not at all comfortable with this story about a woman identifying as a man having a baby. I really feel sorry for this baby.

no need for an apology. there are a lot of people, including people in the gay community, who are not at all comfortable with this story about a woman identifying as a man having a baby. I really feel sorry for this baby.

no need for an apology. there are a lot of people, including people in the gay community, who are not at all comfortable with this story about a woman identifying as a man having a baby. I really feel sorry for this baby.

Mike @55, 56, 57:

"there are a lot of people, including people in the gay community, who are not at all comfortable with this story about a woman identifying as a man having a baby": Who cares? What does that prove except that there are closed-minded gays, just as there are closed-minded straights? Who other than the family really has ANY standing to be "uncomfortable"?

Sheesh. What century is this, again?

I am relieved to see the apology, but the fact remains: "One Day at a Time" by Ann Romano is a dull, unoriginal waste of print space. The Mercury is little sister to the Seattle Stranger, and copies its format page-for-page. Ann Romano is presented to Portland as a sufficient stand-in for David Schmader, who writes the always-excellent "Last Days: The Week in Review" for the Stranger. Schmader is an ACTUAL person writing insightful & hilarious commentary-- as opposed to some anonymous group of writers, hiding behind a nom de plume, regurgutating everything they've read on PerezHilton.com.
Mercury, please... do better by your host city. Couldn't you have used your two-week winter break to find a competent author for your most prominent column?

A decent apology would include a decent article about the local trans community, and the struggles trans folk face.

its great that the criticism was taken to heart and an apology was made. but ive heard much worse shit hurled about transgender people (like the comments on this page, for example)..

Oooh Kelson!

Well, now that we've got you here, tell us: what is it that all the rest of us need to do to make this particular part of the population happy? THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION YOU WILL EVER ANSWER, TO HEAR WHAT SOME PEOPLE SAY (on this page, anyway...)!

Both Romano and the editorial staff should be required to attend a training on cultural competency with transgender people and perform community service at an organization serving the transgender communities, such as the Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center or the Trans Identity Resource Center of Outside In, both located right here in Portland. The latter is an especially important step since services supporting transgender folks are severely underfunded.

I believe it's the 21st...

policitically correct or enabling insanity? last time I checked in the medical texts having a vagina and giving birth to a baby only happens with women.

if I suddenly wanted to "identify" as a blackman, is that ok? Or if I "identify" as Elvis Presley, is that ok? I think people would say I'm dilusional, which is really what is going on here IMO.

to mike (64)and all the other transphobes who have posted on this page:
what are you doing here? how did you end up on this page? what's it to you that this guy is having a kid?
please stop posting on this page and go get educated, or just go away and keep your bigotry to yourself.

practicing our first amendment right Maria. if you can't handle the heat, stay out of the fire.

to mike
oh, please. don't be so tired. i'm just sayin: why are you here? to spread the Word? i'm fascinated by people who feel compelled to share their bigotry in settings like this.
i'm still curious: what led you to this page, and why you are so insistent on stating your transphobic stance?

well, "everybody", i have a few suggestions, beginning with this:
when someone says, hey buddy, just FYI, i'm changing my name to _________, and i'd like to be spoken of with this pronoun, do it. what's it to you?
it's not like trans people are asking for anything remarkable, just to be treated the way that we feel we are. work it out.
forgive the weird analogy, y'all, but::
if you felt like you were dracula and you asked me to call you by your name, i would. i wouldn't ask, wait, does this person wear a cape? do they have white skin? do they have fangs? just how much blood do they suck, reaaallly? why should anyone have to qualify who they feel they are, either biologically or otherwise?

The Stranger wouldn't have apologized. Get some (grafted and surgically sculpted) balls.