Arkansas Reporter Responds To Viewer’s Hateful Criticism Of His “Gayness”

"Dream loudly and don't let anyone get in your way."

From: NewNowNext

Early this week, Mitchell McCoy, a reporter for Fox16 News and KARK in Arkansas, shared both a hateful message he received from a viewer who didn’t approve of his “gayness” and his thoughtful and graceful response.

McCoy received the message in an email sent to him Monday afternoon.

“Dear Mitch,” it begins, “I watched KARK before you joined and it was a reputable broad cast until now. I have been holding back for months but I can’t stand your gayness.”

“You are on television every night and our children should not be watching people like you,” it continues. “You are a disgrace to Arkansas and I will be asking your boss to take you off. Do not be offended but society is not ready for gay men reading the news.”

Upon receiving the email, he immediately took to Twitter to share the homophobic criticism along with an inspirational message of his own.

“I get many emails but this tops it,” the message reads. “I’ve dreamt of being a reporter since I was 9 and I won’t stop on your behalf.”

“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 message concludes. “The minute you stop is the minute you stop being who you are. It’s not worth it.

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

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

Since posting the tweets, McCoy has received a showering of love and acceptance, with many praising him for being true to himself

@MitchellMcCoy Dude. So happy to see you living the dream. (And glad to see @AustinKellerman standing behind ya.)

— Troy Diggs (@amnewsboy) May 24, 2016

@MitchellMcCoy dream BIG. Love BIGGER. #wegotyoumitch

— Adiba Nelson (@AdibaNelson) May 23, 2016

@MitchellMcCoy way to stay classy! As a gay, native Arkansan and former president of LR Pride, I applaud you being you and living your life

— Joe LaFountaine (@joelafountaine) May 24, 2016

@MitchellMcCoy YAAS DARLING OUTSHINE EM!

— RICHARD WADE MORGAN (@StudioWade) May 24, 2016

For their part, Mitch’s colleagues expressed support for the reporter, with his boss, KARK news director Austin Kellerman speaking out on behalf of the station.

“As public figures, our journalists often receive messages from viewers—some good, some bad,” said Kellerman. “It’s part of our profession. Mitch is a great journalist, and we’re happy to have him on our team.”