This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Gaslighting: A form of intimidation or psychological abuse, sometimes called ambient abuse, where false information is presented to the victim, making them doubt their own memory, perception and quite often, their sanity.

I attended the press conference/rally at the state Capitol. This was held in response to Donald Trump's abusive language and actions against women. The event was put together by the Weinholtz for Governor campaign. Speakers were three candidates and a community activist. The three women — Catherine Kanter, Charlene Albarran and Brandy Farmer — directly addressed why the language and actions presented by Trump are unacceptable and must be stopped.

Mike Weinholtz, as a man, could not speak to the emotional impact that women endure on a daily basis. He did exactly what he could do as a man, and that was to present action items that will help to change the world. He spoke of the fact that these words against women are violence and must be stopped. He presented his proposed policy concerning women. More funding to prevent sexual violence, testing all rape kits, improving training for public safety organizations and addressing the pay inequity issue.

That is where the "gaslighting" entered, in reading The Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News articles, the female speakers were ignored and the violence statements were diluted to the point of not even recognizing what was the initial topic. Women were actually "double gaslighted" in these articles. The conversation moved to pay inequality, with the highlight being a message from our present lieutenant governor, Spencer Cox, that women in Utah really don't experience a pay gap. My best guess is the only place where women in Utah don't experience the pay gap is when you are looking at all Utahns who earn our minimum wage.

In conclusion, if we keep the same people as elected officials, no actions will be addressed or corrected. If we elect better officials, maybe the news media will begin to report on the real topics and not just a small portion of the story. The two articles I mentioned cannot even be blamed on pure misogyny, as the writers were both male and female.

Becky Moss

Millcreek