Mitch McCoy
Mitch McCoy (born May 30, 1993) is an award-winning broadcast news reporter in Little Rock, Arkansas who gained popularity across the world in the LGBT community after a viewer demanded he be taken off-air for being gay.[1]
Early life[edit]
McCoy was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is a 2012 graduate of Rockford Senior High School. After graduating, McCoy worked in radio where he got his start in journalism.[2]
Career[edit]
McCoy joined NBC affiliate KARK in Little Rock, Arkansas in October, 2015 as a General Assignment Reporter. He has covered several major tornado outbreaks in Arkansas. Before joining the Nexstar Broadcasting station, McCoy served as Executive Producer and weekend anchor at Nexstar-owned KQTV in St. Joseph, Missouri from 2014-2015. [2]
Angry Viewer Email[edit]
On May 23, 2016, McCoy's response to a viewer's email was being being shared across the world. The viewer demanded McCoy be fired because he was "too gay" for television and a "disgrace to Arkansas". [3]
McCoy responded on Twitter with this message:
"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. 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 is the minute you stop being who you are. It's not worth it."
The reporter's response to the email went viral within an hour. It was shared thousands of times on Twitter.[4] McCoy gained support for high-level figures including CNN Anchor Don Lemon. [5] Hours later, McCoy was highlighted on Twitter Moments for the popularity his response gained. [6]
After becoming one of the few openly gay reporters in Arkansas, McCoy's boss stood behind the television reporter and told ArkansasOnline that McCoy is a good journalist and he's proud to have him at the NBC affiliate. [7]
References[edit]
- ↑ "This Reporter Had The Best Response To A Homophobic Viewer". The Huffington Post. 2016-05-24. Retrieved 2016-06-15.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Mitch McCoy". ARKANSASMATTERS. 2015-10-14. Retrieved 2016-06-15.
- ↑ "TV reporter shames viewer who called him a 'disgrace to Arkansas'". NY Daily News. Retrieved 2016-06-15.
- ↑ "Mitchell McCoy on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2016-06-15.
- ↑ "Don Lemon on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2016-06-15.
- ↑ "Twitter Moments: Reporter turns hateful email into inspirational message". Twitter. Retrieved 2016-06-15.
- ↑ "KARK reporter shares email from viewer who called him a 'disgrace to Arkansas'". Arkansas Online. Retrieved 2016-06-15.
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