LACK OF LGBTQ COVERAGE IN SQNEWS? 

Dear Editor-in-Chief: 

I am a transwoman incarcerated at Richard J. Donavon. I always pick up a copy of the San Quentin News when I go to the law library and enjoy a lot of the articles. 

I notice that you and your staff never write or publish any articles of transgenders. I am upset because this means we, as a society, have a lot to work on, or have not moved on. We still have a discriminative society who is not accepting of our community. 

Please understand that my people, the LGBTQ, have fought to the point where some gave their lives to make sure that the generations to come don’t have to experience any form of discrimination. 

—Yvette Blake, Richard J. Donovan, San Diego, California 

Hi, Yvette! Thanks for writing and sharing your concerns. 

Over the last few years, San Quentin News has expanded our coverage of issues facing LGBTQ+ prisoners. Our pages have carried stories written by and for gay and trans prisoners, and our newsroom staff is as diverse as our coverage. 

We gladly shouldered some criticism in January 2020 when our front page covered San Quentin’s first-ever Transgender Day of Remembrance. We’ve covered the ACT and ALIGHT Justice programs, and celebrated Pride Month with our readers. Take a look at some of the stories we’ve run. » 

Inclusivity and respect for everyone — irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression — is an integral part of our philosophy. 

We do appreciate your feedback, Yvette. We also welcome submissions from our readers and the public. Please check out our guidelines for submission on page 3. —Ed.