Metro Weekly

Puff piece? Bisexual WashPost writer criticized for portraying anti-gay marriage leader as ‘Mr. Nice Guy’

”My current partner is a man. Before him, my partner of two years was a woman, with whom I discussed health insurance, kids, houses and marriage. You can bet that I found the fact that our marriage wouldn’t have been legal to be wrong as hell. That doesn’t mean that what NOM is trying to do and how they are trying to do it are not important to hear about.”

Monica Hesse, a 28-year-old writer for the Washington Post, is said to have unintentionally drawn angry responses from gay marriage supporters with her coverage of Brian Brown, the Executive Director of the infamous National Organization for Marriage. NOM’s Brown and Maggie Gallagher have positioned themselves as media darlings as the saviors of heterosexual marriage. They have launched numerous advertisements, websites, and activities in an effort to rally public opposition to same-sex marriage. And they have said repeatedly that extending marriage rights to gay men and lesbians threatens the education of children and the foundations of American families. Hesse’s article was apparently meant to be an introduction to Brown who has just moved to the unwanted offices to downtown Washington. The ombudsman of the Washington Post, Andrew Alexander, says her article is perhaps being misinterpreted due to a headline she did not create — “Opposing Gay Unions With Sanity & a Smile” — and a lack of an opposing point of view. (Washington Post)

Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism

These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!