As the old saying goes, “you can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.” What’s missing is this modern update: “Ignorant bigots will never be pleased about anything so you just have to do your best not to let their grating nonsense burrow too deep underneath your skin.”
An Arkansas TV reporter recently put this lesson to the test with excellent form after an irate viewer wrote him an email about how his “gayness” was a problem.
Mitchell McCoy, a reporter for KARK-TV, shared the ugly correspondence via Twitter:
I get many emails but this tops it. I’ve dreamt of being a reporter since I was 9 and I won’t stop on your behalf. pic.twitter.com/gyFCRHfPHi
— Mitchell McCoy (@MitchellMcCoy) May 23, 2016
“I watched KARK before you joined and it was a reputable broad cast [sic] until now,” the viewer, who signed the email “kark Channel 4 Fan,” begins. “I have been holding back for months but I can’t stand your gayness.”
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
“You are on television every night and our children should not be watching people like you. You are a disgrace to Arkansas and I will be asking your boss to take you off.” That’s just rude — you don’t see McCoy coming around to your boss and telling her you’re unfit to be making Dairy Queen chicken strips.
The “fan” concludes, “Do not be offended but society is not ready for gay men reading news.”
McCoy had the perfect response, keeping things light, bright and gay:
“I get many emails but this tops it. I’ve dreamt of being a reporter since I was 9 and I won’t stop on your behalf.”
He added:
With that said, no matter who you are or what you believe in – dream loudly and don’t let anyone get in your way. The minute you stop…
— Mitchell McCoy (@MitchellMcCoy) May 23, 2016
…is the minute you stop being who you are. It’s not worth it. #DreamOn #StepUpStopBullying
— Mitchell McCoy (@MitchellMcCoy) May 23, 2016
Just for reference, here’s a reel of McCoy being a damn good TV reporter:
h/t RawStory
scotshot
I guess the viewer hasn’t heard about the sex scandals involving “leading” citizens, religious figures and politicians.
throwslikeagirl
Is KARK the only station with news? There’s no reason for this email other than meanness. The reporter handled himself with aplomb.
Michael
“Do not be offended but society is not ready for gay men reading news.” I guess that explains why Anderson Cooper never went anywhere…oh wait?!?!
Matt Achine
Society isn’t ready for gay men reading news???? Surely that fool has lots of firings to request, since she never heard of Don Lemon, Sam Champion, Gio Benitez, Anderson Cooper and so on. This guy was far too kind to that redneck!
Billy Budd
I fail to find the necessary words to describe this ***** who attacked the reporter.
DCguy
@Matt Achine:
She probably hasn’t, she is in Arkansas and is a right wing bigot. If it isn’t on Fox News they’re not hearing it.
P.S. Very clever name!
Juanjo
The stupid is deep in that viewer.
kdavid
I never cease to be amazed by the outrageousness of the American right. I am surprised this person actually watches any kind of news as people like that are usually what we in the UK would call ‘dumbo’s’.Freedom of speech does not include the right to incite hatred. And it should also not mean the right to clog our computers with stupidity.Ignore the idiot.
GayEGO
We see a lot of these bigots in the remote areas where they pretend to be so righteous, but secretly desire being sexually naughty!
Will L
Gayness? I didn’t see anything that screamed gay to me. I suppose she also knows for sure that the baritone reporter with the scruffy beard is all straight.
Wit
@Matt Achine: Wait, wait, wait… Sam Champion is gay???
He BGB
That the viewer took the time out of her day to compose an email and send it. Ignorance and hatred she is consumed. How did she know he was gay? In every city there is a gay guy on the news (usually the weatherman). I would visit a city and at the bar that night would be the weatherman. I’m surprised the good old boys network would hire a gay guy in the South. The GMs at these stations are usually as red as they come
joeyty
Arkansas sucks (I always think of the Clintons), but it’s not as bad as North Carolina.
joeyty
@kdavid: “people like that are usually what we in the UK would call ‘dumbo’s’.Freedom of speech does not include the right to incite hatred.” And the UK is progressively getting more Dumbo. ( The Rotherham rapes ??? Summer rioters basically dancing to Dappy while looting?? )
martinbakman
Southerners could learn to make room for everyone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F1AhnWAhHc
Sluggo2007
What’s the surprise here? It’s Arkansas for God’s sake!
joeyty
@Sluggo2007: (Bill Clinton territory….yuck..)
Louis
Deplorable viewer and bravo to this strong and eloquent young man.
He handled that stupidity with class and grace.
onthemark
I watched the video. Damn, I didn’t realize Arkansas had such awful weather all the time! God must really hate them for being so anti-gay.
footwork61
And in Philadelphia, the most popular weather man posted this pic of his partner, son and new daughter.
https://www.facebook.com/6abcAdamJoseph/posts/10154861565718696
Thad
@footwork61: Let alone Philaelphia’s openly gay Jim Donovan being given anchorship of his station’s morning newscast. I guess we’re more accepting here.
Tait47
I thought he was going to be a screamer, but he doesn’t seem any more “gay” then most of the male on air reports and anchors. The viewer must be to attracted to this reporter.
da90027
The guy who wrote that is probably banging his sister and cousin behind his wife’s back he hates life and himself and probably has brain dead kids and lives in a trailer. Consider the source.
stranded
Come on, you have to do some investigating to know this dude is gay. I don’t know jack shit about about my local news anchors, who really does? this person is just looking to spread their hate and it’s really sad.
Keebler ILF
My mind went into the gutter at the 00:49 mark when he said
“We’ve been out here for just a couple of minutes and my jeans are absolutely soaked right now.”
If he is gay, you’d think he’d wear better fitting suit jackets.