The Tampa Tribune may be to the left of the Washington Times , but the St. Petersburg Times ?
In at least one instance, that is, indeed, the case. But, no, it’s not affirmative action, school vouchers or pre-emptive sorties against terrorism. The Trib now accepts same-sex union announcements! Could ads for the ACLU be in the offing?
While it’s hardly alone in accepting such announcements, the Trib can still be considered in the vanguard of a trend that statewide includes the Miami Herald, Orlando Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, Palm Beach Post and Tallahassee Democrat . The overwhelming majority of this country’s 1,600 newspapers, however, still don’t print such announcements. That includes that citadel of liberalism, the St. Petersburg Times .
The Trib’s rationale is straightforward. “We’re a community newspaper, and when members of our community are celebrating a joyous occasion, our role is to provide them with the opportunity to do so,” explained Tribune Publisher Steve Weaver.
It’s not known if the Trib has plans to extend such a policy. But announcement operators are standing bi.