Sandi you´re right we are extremely diverse, I´d dare to say that each case is unique. However I think that we all have some things in common. That´s why we are subscribed to this site.

Adam sounds honest and I really appreciate you interest.

Paolo wrote: Mon Jun 15, 2015 12:35 pm Therein lies the problem.

Yes it would.

And many have heard it before.

It's not happened yet, either That is why you may have a hard time earning anyone's trust here.

Of course, you're welcome to try.

There was/is a Philadelphia Weekly (don't remember the name) that did an article on us in about 2006 (if my memory serves at all). They did a fair job of accurate reporting. Look them/it up, get an idea of the only half way decent article ever done.

Adam,

While I understand your desire to write about this community, I would ask you to put yourself in my shoes. I am a castrated, soon to be nullified man (nullified = complete removal of external male genitals). I have interviewed with people in the past and while I was directly quoted, and I did say those exact words, what I said was taken so horribly out of context it completely changed the meaning. Since the folks I have spoken with in the past have done this to me, I'm not inclined to speak on the record to any reporter ever again.

I'm sure you're a charming and respectable person. However the only way I have to protect myself from a repeat of past horrible treatment by the media is to simply not talk to any member of the media, no matter how well intentioned they are.

I really do hope you can write a fair article about us, I'm unfortunately going to have to decline to assist with that effort.

--LT

I think there is a need for more media attention to the diversity. I think there are some here who are interested in the LGBT community (as well as the medical community and government) recognizing "eunuch" as an orientation.

One way to succeed in this (i.e. to get participation) is to protect the identities. Of course for journalistic integrity your publisher will need to verify the sources, but generally can't you write the article with pseudonyms? While LoseThem and others have had trouble in the past, much of the pain caused is that there was some identification. Twisting words is bad, but publicly being named in context of being a freak is just wrong.

If you're doing this more like research, it is quite common for research publications to use "Subject A" to identify the individuals to protect privacy. Can you write it that way?

Nope, the word twisting made it subject closed for me. Sorry.

My real first name was used, fortunately my last name was not part of it. Since my first name is sufficiently common, it's not caused me any grief beyond the word twisting. Unfortunately we eunuchs have been burned more than once, so we're incredibly hesitant to take part.

--LT

Sent an email but no reply...

was over 24 hours ago...

AdamKovac (imported) wrote: Mon Jun 15, 2015 11:07 am

AdamKovac (imported) wrote: Mon Jun 15, 2015 10:58 am My question is, what is the major objection to talking to me? I want to

Paolo wrote: Mon Jun 15, 2015 12:35 pm write about the community because I feel there is

n't a lot of accurate information out there. Wouldn't a story that is accurate be beneficial? I'm working under the assumption that being better understood by the vast majority of people would be a

good thing?

The major objection to talking to you is that your a reporter. In the past reporters who have said the same things you are saying have duped us, taken things out of context and hurt is in ways I can't even began to tell you.

Yes our stories would be beneficial however your name is not Tom Brokaw, we don't know you.

It comes down to this, your an independent writer per your opening statement, that in its self set off RED flags to most of us who have been around for a while. You have no creditability with us or the press at large. You are a total unknown and that raises even more flags. We know Tom J. and Richard W. personally, we know there stories have visited there homes, we have a personal relationship with them. We don't have this with you and its unlikely that you will spend the time required and needed to win our trust to make this story you want to tell worth it.

River

I'm willing to talk on background. Forum ate the last two attempts at a real post. If this will work, I've sent you an email and you can contact me by PM here once you have privileges. PM will be checked more often, but email allows longer posts and may be more reliable. :p

Autosave recovered part of my first post, but not the whole thing. :shakemitk

[snip]

AdamKovac (imported) wrote: Mon Jun 15, 2015 11:07 am For those of you who would like to get in touch with me, you can reach me via email: adamjosephkovac@gmail.com

If it's ok with you, I'm going to stick around and keep reading. This is your place, and I don't want to violate it, so I'm not sure if I am allowed to post in other threads to ask questions. Please tell me to piss off if I make anyone uncomfortable.

-Adam

I don't think it would be out of line to ask questions, on the assumption that everything we say, unless otherwise specified, is "on background". I shouldn't have to do this for your benefit, but for other EA members: "Speaking terms" for journalistic sources. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_(jo ... g_terms.22) I am comfortable with anything I say being used "on background" unless otherwise specified, and I think I would be wiling to answer questions under such conditions of attribution. I'm too junior to provide broad background on the community, but I can provide one of the many varied perspectives I'm sure you'll want, if you can deal with a pseudonymous source who practices ruthless infosec and data hygiene, and who respects others' secrets.

Let us consider for a moment that you are a really good guy and write the best, honest account possible.

If life was that simple, I suspect that few would object at all.

Unfortunately the world also has plenty of people less honorable, and would you believe, able to misuse and misrepresent even the best material -such as yours.

So, folks here have learned to be cautious, with good reason from experience.

-It isn't just you that make folks afraid.

kristoff wrote: Mon Jun 15, 2015 1:50 pm There was/is a Philadelphia Weekly (don't remember the name) that did an article on us in about 2006 (if my memory serves at all). They did a fair job of accurate reporting. Look them/it up, get an idea of the only half way decent article ever done.

Using the word "eunuch" on the Philadelphia Weekly 's search engine turned up 8 articles with one each from '05 & '06. None of the 8 appeared to be what Kristoff might have been referring to. Maybe someone else will have better luck.