NAHJ announces translation of its LGBTQIA+ Style Guide and other initiatives at 40th Anniversary

After the successful release of El Manual de Estilo de las Comunidades LGBTQIA+ last year in Miami, this 2024 the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) LGBTQIA+ Committee announces its translated version from Spanish to English. This guidebook includes words and phrases commonly used in those communities, and general advice when reporting on them.

Last year the LGBTQIA+ Committee updated the Spanish version of the style guide for the first time since 2017, spearheading this effort David Cordero Mercado and Luis Joel Méndez González, co-chairs of the committee and members of the board of directors, in collaboration with the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA).

“Last year, after releasing the updated version of the guidebook, many members asked us if we could translate it to English because that was their first language,” said Mercado. “With the support of our committee members, we started that long effort.”

Mendéz González led the project, with editing by Adame Rhodes and the translations by Belen Dumont, Julian Berger, Andrés Martínez and Lygia Navarro, members of the committee. The Spanish version, which was translated and adapted to English, was written by David Cordero Mercado, Cristela Guerra, Marissa Sasso and Alander Rocha.

“The support of the committee members was vital to complete this long process,” Mendéz González said.

In addition to the translation of El Manual de Estilo de las Comunidades LGBTQIA+ from Spanish to English, the LGBTQIA+ Committee advised the rest of NAHJ´s board of directors and staff to have pronouns ribbons and a non-binary restroom for attendees. Three panels were also organized by the committee on LGBTQIA+ matters, which can be found through NAHJ´s official app.

In collaboration with palabra. and GLAAD, the committee also published an essays series about the importance of LGBTQIA+ Latinx reporters in newsrooms, which was published in both partners’ websites.

NAHJ is an educational and charitable association dedicated to the recognition and professional advancement of Hispanic students, professionals and educators in the field of journalism.