The old saying "better late than never" certainly applies here. Effective immediately, the news section of the Bay Area Reporter is updating its style guidelines in order to be more gender expansive.
We generally follow the Associated Press Stylebook, with some exceptions when situations warrant them. After discussing the issue, we have decided to change.
Beginning with some articles in this week's issue, but more completely next week, we will drop gendered references like spokesman, spokeswoman, councilman, councilwoman, assemblymen, assemblywoman, congressman, congresswoman, etc.