Talk:Tokata Iron Eyes

Latest comment: 9 months ago by Carlinal in topic (Solved) Missing person case?

Tokata Iron Eyes' Pronouns and Name edit

https://movieweb.com/daughter-of-parents-who-filed-restraining-order-against-ezra-miller-speaks-out/ https://meaww.com/ezra-miller-flees-tokata-iron-eyes-non-binary-sexuality-debate-court-cant-serve-protective-order https://www.yourtango.com/news/who-tokata-iron-eyes-ezra-miller-alleged-victim

Might want to consider fixing the article to reflect their pronouns?--KimYunmi (talk) 17:28, 15 June 2022 (UTC)Reply

I'm not sure those sources are reliable per WP:RSPSOURCES. I don't see any reason why Tokata Iron Eyes' Instagram message here couldn't be used as a cite even though those types of cites are discouraged since reliable sources as to pronouns aren't available. Another thing to take into consideration, one of the allegations in the restraining order is Iron Eyes' is under duress and undue influence and has been misgendered by Ezra Miller. Do we go with the status quo until the court rules? --P37307 (talk) 18:16, 15 June 2022 (UTC)Reply
WP policy is we go with the subject's most recent self-declaration. I don't recall anything about pronouns in that video. If I missed it, can you post a timestamp? What was the last conclusive statement from Takota declaring pronouns that 1. can reliably be confirmed to be from Takota, 2. is not reasonably considered to be from a person under duress, and 3. is not just the opinion of Takota's parents or Miller? - CorbieVreccan 19:02, 15 June 2022 (UTC)Reply
I didn't mean to suggest the Instagram video had an acknowledgment of gender or anything else. I see now I worded it wrong. I did several rewrites. I just meant if reliable sources on a subject matter couldn't be found then the video could cited. As far as what you wrote about BLP, I totally agree. I also agree with the last section of your reply. P37307 (talk) 20:36, 15 June 2022 (UTC)Reply
FWIW, Takota's instagram is still under Takotawin; no name change from the female form there. But I don't know how easy or difficult it is to change screennames/account names on insta. - CorbieVreccan 19:06, 15 June 2022 (UTC)Reply
Doing research on this, I see Iron Eyes gave an interview with Rolling Stone where she changes the name she wants to be known as. It's not out yet, so more information may come to light. I know very little about this person. I simply got involved and came to knowledge of Iron Eyes when I made an edit the other day after certain news broke. I know nothing about Instagram or their processes. P37307 (talk) 20:42, 15 June 2022 (UTC)Reply
Do you have a link to the Rolling Stone information? - CorbieVreccan 22:56, 15 June 2022 (UTC)Reply
Googling just now turns up this: ‘Mini R. Kelly Situation’: Mom Claims Ezra Miller Physically Assaulted Her, Brainwashed 18-Year-Old - “The notion that I have been brainwashed or that I’ve been coerced in any context is grotesquely false,” Gibson Iron Eyes says of parents’ allegations - CorbieVreccan 23:00, 15 June 2022 (UTC)Reply
No, it's not out yet. Newsweek reported it 1 and Rolling Stone, as far as I can tell, hasn't published anything, so it's second-handed, in my opinion. In this instance, I don't find WP:NEWSWEEK a reliable cite. Depending on what any future article by Rolling Stone is, it may be worthy of discussion as a cite per WP:Rolling Stone (politics and society, 2011–present). P37307 (talk) 23:22, 15 June 2022 (UTC)Reply
Disregard my last comment. It must have just posted in the last few minutes, and I see it is in the culture section of Rolling Stone that has reliable consensus. P37307 (talk) 23:27, 15 June 2022 (UTC)Reply

I'm not personally attached either way, but... given the controversy around consent and coercion right now, I think I would personally hold off on a wholesale change of pronouns and name (like doing a page move, for instance) until there's more than one source. I won't revert if someone goes ahead and does it, but I'm still a bit cautious. I can do some... well, OR, but I'm not going to do the changes myself at this juncture. YMMV. However, the article can certainly be added, along with some material from it. I'd just like to see additional sourcing for any major changes. - CorbieVreccan 23:40, 15 June 2022 (UTC)Reply

That's how I feel about it. Also, the Rolling Stone article doesn't address the name change or pronouns, did it? I read it twice. They use the new name choice but how they got to it isn't addressed. If it is, I missed it or my ad blocker removed part of the story. That has happened before on other websites. Is there another article somewhere? P37307 (talk) 23:51, 15 June 2022 (UTC)Reply
I have some concerns about the Rolling Stone article.

In an email to Rolling Stone Wednesday night, Gibson denied allegations that they were being controlled by the Flash actor. ... Gibson continued by calling their parents’ concern “blatantly insulting” and shared that “Ezra and our crew” will speak about their story “when we see fit.”[1]

If Rolling Stone's only communication was an email, in this particular situation it is insufficient confirmation that these are Iron Eyes' words. Iron Eyes confirmed in the Instagram video that they/she does not have a phone. Iron Eyes' relatives have posted on social media that Iron Eyes uses Miller's phone to post on social media. It is a reasonable possibility that any email Rolling Stone received came from Millers' phone. If it came from Miller's phone, it is also a reasonable possibility that it is Miller who has renamed Iron Eyes "Gibson". Without the name and pronouns coming from Iron Eyes' own mouth, in a situation wherein neutral people can reasonably assume Iron Eyes is not under duress or being coerced, I'm not particularly convinced the Rolling Stone piece is WP:RS for a name change or pronouns.
Additionally, there are other sites now running with the information in the Rolling Stone article, but all the pieces I've seen, it looks like their only source for this particular info is... this Rolling Stone article.
I would also note, as a cause for concern, the details in the source added today to Miller's article, about the new charges of harassment against Miller and the details of Miller's behavior towards, and statements about, the 11 year old in Massachusetts.[2] This adds to the serious context in which we have to evaluate any statements right now. - CorbieVreccan 21:29, 16 June 2022 (UTC)Reply
Nobody, not even Rolling Stone, addresses the name change. It just appears and other sites, as you point out, just cite Rolling Stone using it. I concur with you on your remaining sentiment. P37307 (talk) 22:15, 16 June 2022 (UTC)Reply
  • The Rolling Stone article does not confirm that Gibson* specifically asked to go by "Gibson" or use those specific pronouns. The Rolling Stone does not definitively appear to have any original reporting about their gender, and may just be going off of legal documents reported by other outlets the week before. Usage of *deadname*/Gibson appears mixed in recent reporting. However, they/them pronouns to identify Gibson do appear to have become common in recent reportage (NBC News). WP:PRONOUN says

    Gender-neutral pronouns should be used (or pronouns avoided) where gendered language is not necessary, and especially when gender is not specific or unknown.

    I think this is pretty solid advice for this situation. "Gibson" should also be mentioned. Schierbecker (talk) 00:46, 18 June 2022 (UTC)Reply
  • If this is an accurate quote, Chase Iron Eyes does not seem to dispute that they are nonbinary.

    "Tokata is not the only nonbinary child in our family," Iron Eyes said. "Tokata would know we’ve been nothing but open and empowering."

    . Schierbecker (talk) 01:08, 18 June 2022 (UTC)Reply

Just checked the Instagram, and fixed an inaccurate bit in the article. Both names are now on the account, plus the pronoun "she". Tokatawin / Gibson. But, again, we don't know who changed the account. - CorbieVreccan 19:26, 18 June 2022 (UTC)Reply

As I noted above, I did some OR: Not citeable in article space, but take is as you will. [Disclosure: I do not know the BLP subject personally, but we have mutual IRL friends and know a number of people in common on social media. I am familiar with their social media presence and have been since they started doing public activism.] On social media, personal friends of the BLP subject are generally using they/them for Tokata. In careful public statements about their friend, some are referring to their friend in ways like, "Tokata Iron Eyes aka Gibson", but when addressing Tokatawin directly, or in private posts, they are still calling their friend "Tokata" or by the nickname "Tok". This includes other Native youth and those in the Indigiqueer/LGBTQ2S communities. So... while it's clear Tokata's been using they/them for awhile, either it's not that firm a conviction, or the recent change to "she" on Insta is trolling (or Ezra's doing/trolling). Also, as the same close friends addressing their friend as "Tok" are saying they're in regular/recent contact with their friend, I'm not convinced "Gibson" is a name Tokatawin is personally using. Again, this is OR and YMMMV. - CorbieVreccan 19:58, 18 June 2022 (UTC)Reply

@Schierbecker: per all of the above, and your recent edits, where is the declaration, from the BLP subject, clearly in their voice without any control or coercion, that they are nonbinary, choose a new name, and have declared their pronouns? We are dealing with a difficult situation here, and all sources need to be read carefully. NBC said that Tokata did not reply to their email, so once again, we have a bunch of other people speaking for them. We don't even know who is controlling the ever-changing instagram page. Please stay up to date with the discussions on talk and seek consensus. - CorbieVreccan 20:13, 22 June 2022 (UTC)Reply

Vandalism edit

We're starting to get some disruptive editing, both outright vandalism as well as well-intentioned but inadequately-sourced changes from new accounts who either haven't checked the talk page, or don't know how to, or don't care to. Right now it's just a trickle, but if it increases and we need the page protected, folks can either ping me or, if I'm not around, go to WP:RFPP. - CorbieVreccan 23:01, 16 June 2022 (UTC)Reply

Requested move 18 June 2022 edit

The following is a closed discussion of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on the talk page. Editors desiring to contest the closing decision should consider a move review after discussing it on the closer's talk page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

The result of the move request was: Not Moved for now (non-admin closure) >>> Extorc.talk 04:30, 25 June 2022 (UTC)Reply


Tokata Iron EyesGibson Iron Eyes – As of Wednesday, Iron Eyes has stated that they go by Gibson. Media usage since then has been mixed. Tokata/feminine pronouns, Yahoo News WGHP via Nexstar Media Wire; Tokata/gender neutral pronouns, The Daily Beast, NBC; Gibson/gender neutral pronouns CNBC, The Cut; Pink News, Rolling Stone, Insider; Gibson/feminine pronouns, Newsweek. On Instagram they have pronouns listed as "she". Schierbecker (talk) 04:53, 18 June 2022 (UTC)Reply

  • Oppose We had ongoing discussions above in the pronoun's sections. Mainly, there are allegations Iron Eyes is under undue pressure. Mainly, the Rolling Stone article was done digitally by email with no way to know who, if anyone, was directing Iron Eyes' speech. The video is useless in so much as the allegations put forth in Court is that Iron Eyes is being pressured and it is unknown who, if anyone, is in the background directing Iron Eyes' speech. For the time being, the status quo should remain until the court hearing or other conclusive proof of Iron Eyes' intent is determined. I also consider the Rolling Stone article as unreliable and any reference to it per </nowiki>Wikipedia:Reliable_sources/Perennial_sources#Rolling_Stone_(politics_and_society,_2011–present). This isn't about gender in so much as what Iron Eyes last known gender position was before the legal claim of misgendering and abuse. Same should go for the name Iron Eyes goes by. I will support it if proof, other than what we have so far OR if they court throws the case out, etc. P37307 (talk) 05:32, 18 June 2022 (UTC)Reply
I don't see any hard evidence to the Rolling Stone made any inquiries to Iron Eyes about pronouns/gender.Schierbecker (talk) 17:31, 18 June 2022 (UTC)Reply
Precisely. And last I checked, ALL the sources are using Rolling Stone as their only source. Please provide for us a WP:RS citation - that does not rely on the already ruled out Rolling Stone article - with a direct quote that can be confirmed to be freely given from the BLP subject themselves, stating the name change. - CorbieVreccan 19:06, 18 June 2022 (UTC)Reply
  • Oppose per concerns in the pronoun section above. Unless those are resolved, the article name change can wait until further confirmation. Thus, too soon to do this.  oncamera  (talk page) 10:14, 18 June 2022 (UTC)Reply
  • Oppose unless and until there is a WP:RS source for the name change. See the discussion above about the issues with the sourcing on the Rolling Stone article that, so far, seems to be the only source. - CorbieVreccan 19:01, 18 June 2022 (UTC)Reply
The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

Names and pronouns - disambiguating Tokata and parents edit

Asking for suggestions here. Since the article was changed from she/her pronounces to they/them, the "Personal Life" section is proving quite challenging to turn into something clear and intelligible, because (i) the surname "Iron Eyes" can refer to Tokata or Tokata's father, and (ii) "they"/"them" can refer to Tokata, or Tokata's parents, or indeed the three of them together.

The best idea I can come up with is (in the "Personal Life" section alone) to refer to Tokata as "Tokata Iron Eyes" the first time they're referenced in each paragraph, and then "Tokata" for the rest of the paragraph. But is that clunky, or is referring to the subject by first-name alone a bit overfamiliar? Would appreciate people's thoughts, and if anyone's aware of any guidelines or policies on the subject then that would obviously be useful to share.

Incidentally, I appreciate that the problem might go away if Tokata's pronouns are clarified as she/they or something else (in which case I'd suggest using "she" pronouns in the article if only for clarity), but presumably we still want it to be as readable as possible in the meantime. Clicriffhard (talk) 15:46, 19 June 2022 (UTC)Reply

The article only mentions their father by name once and their parents are collectively called "Iron Eyes' parents" in the Ezra Miller section. There's debate if they are using Tokata or Gibson, so being informal and calling them Tokata throughout instead of Iron Eyes could be seen as excessively forcing a "dead" name on them if they are indeed Gibson now. I think the current version is the most clearly written format.  oncamera  (talk page) 22:38, 19 June 2022 (UTC)Reply
Yes, I and others have already edited a lot of ambiguous sentences (and certainly removing as many pronouns as possible has helped), but the one reference to Chase Iron Eyes and Sara Jumping Eagle comes right at the start of the "Personal Life" section and precedes paragraphs like this:
In June 2022, Iron Eyes' parents filed legal documents asking a judge to issue an order of protection against actor Ezra Miller on behalf of Iron Eyes, due to Miller allegedly using "violence, intimidation, threat of violence, fear, paranoia, delusions, and drugs" including marijuana and LSD to hold sway over Iron Eyes. Although Iron Eyes is 18, due to tribal regulations Iron Eyes' parents are still considered their legal guardians.
It's not that you can't figure out what it means by ruling out less likely interpretations of "Iron Eyes" and "their", but it's laborious to read and, in my view, poorly written if you actually have to do that.
Forgive me but I'm not persuaded by the "deadnaming" argument - it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to avoid using a first name that's part of the title of the article. If/when there's consensus to rename the article to "Gibson Iron Eyes" then presumably the same change will be propagated throughout the article, and any changes we make in favour of "Tokata" now will become changes in favour of "Gibson" that will also help to clarify meaning.
Let me ask a different question: what would be the cost of changing it as I suggested above? Is it just that you're uncomfortable with the name, rather than anything to do with clarity as such? It would be useful to understand what your objection is. Clicriffhard (talk) 01:53, 20 June 2022 (UTC)Reply
A bit of what you are calling awkwardness is just what we deal with when using they/them pronouns, or in articles where we avoid pronouns altogether. It's not that awkward once you get used to it. What we have now is fine. Right now the Miller article is being too informal by calling Iron Eyes simply "Tokata". I didn't change it when I updated the info about the Instagram account, but it should be changed. No encyclopedia article should be repeatedly using someone's first name. Once or twice for clarity in discussing members of the same family, yes. Routinely, no. - CorbieVreccan 02:19, 20 June 2022 (UTC)Reply
I understand what you're saying but it's not awkwardness borne of unfamiliarity; I live with non-binary people and am well aware that, while they/them pronouns inevitably introduce ambiguities, there are usually ways around it with a bit of practice. The problem here is specifically that the "Personal Lives" section is discussing events involve a singular "they/them" and a plural "they/them", two of whom are called "Iron Eyes"... and yet apparently the only two options we're willing to entertain to refer to one of them are "Iron Eyes" and "they/them". Making a rod for our backs here, you know... Clicriffhard (talk) 02:34, 20 June 2022 (UTC)Reply

(Solved) Missing person case? edit

I've read the See also section and categories for this article and I'm confused by the (supposed) lack of present information that confirms Iron Eyes was in a missing persons case within the past few years. I've been thinking about removing them under the assumption that this is unfounded or even vandalism. Is there anything that would suggest otherwise? Carlinal (talk) 11:24, 18 July 2023 (UTC)Reply

I don't know if it warrants being in a missing person case category, but essentially, the parents were trying to serve a protection order against Miller to get their child back and couldn't locate him, so it became an issue of a missing teenager per People magazine.  oncamera  (talk page) 16:37, 18 July 2023 (UTC)Reply
Reading the source it seems to me that Iron Eyes is conscious enough of what she's doing to the point where it wasn't even a disappearance, but a sort of rebellion against her parents regardless of Miller's influence. She also was reported as 18 at the time, so I see it as more of a young-adult situation than a teenage one.
Going by this source the "missing person" phrase is too loose to be applied to Iron Eyes. I'll remove the categories and such unless there's further notice. Carlinal (talk) 16:29, 20 July 2023 (UTC)Reply