Associated Press uses pro-trans phrase 'pregnant people' FIVE times in story... but only mentions 'women' twice
An Associated Press piece featured the phrase 'pregnant people' five times on Thursday - despite the publication updating its style guidelines to re-include the term 'pregnant women' after pulling it completely three years ago.
In the article titled 'For pregnant people, extreme heat comes with extra risk', reporter Melina Walling sought to explain the increased dangers soon-to-be mothers face in high heat.
'Those risks are exacerbated for pregnant people, as the body's processes for staying cool are altered,' Walling, who covers agriculture and climate, warned. '[S]hattering weather records means more exposure for pregnant people, particularly in developing countries.'
New York University Professor Anna Bershteyn used the phrase while pointing out how 'pregnant people have a belly bump' that makes them vulnerable to a phenomenon called 'internal heat.'
A warning from Dr. Chris Holstege, chief of the division of medical toxicology at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, was paraphrased to read: 'For pregnant people handling potent substances like pesticides, increased blood flow can also increase chemical absorption.'
The word 'women', meanwhile, was only used in the article twice. The instances were both direct quotes from University of California Berkeley researchers Cara Schulte and Bershteyn, respectively.
An Associated Press piece featured the phrase 'pregnant people' a full five times on Thursday
The publication in 2022 tweaked its style guide to re-include the term 'pregnant women' after pulling it completely for the more inclusive phrase. Pictured, a pro-transgender protest in Oklahoma City in 2023
The phrase 'pregnant people' was added to the AP's 'inclusive language' protocols back in May 2022.
The publication said at the time: 'Phrasing like pregnant people or people who seek an abortion seeks to include people who have those experiences but do not identify as women, such as some transgender men and some nonbinary people.
'Such phrasing should be confined to stories that specifically address the experiences of people who do not identify as women.'
The context behind Walling's wording, meanwhile, remains unclear.
The Daily Mail has reached out to her for comment.
Former Ted Cruz advisor Steve Guest seized on the AP story, highlighting the repeated use of 'pregnant people' in a viral tweet.
The AP recently refused to amend its style guide to include Donald Trump's 'Gulf of America' earlier this year.
The publication remains barred from all major White House press events as a result.
The publication backtracked on its decision to fully replace the phrase 'pregnant women' with 'pregnant people' in August 2022, just three months after implementing the policy in the first place.
Pictured, Associated Press Agriculture and Climate Reporter Melina Walling, who wrote the piece
The official AP Stylebook X account announced the update at the time.
'We now have guidance saying that "pregnant women’ or "women seeking abortions" is acceptable phrasing.
'Phrases like "pregnant people" or "people seeking abortions" are acceptable when you want to be inclusive of people who have those experiences but do not identify as women,' the tweet read.
The AP continues to use the Gulf of Mexico phrasing in its articles.
