The Inbox....

Let’s see what you guys are talking about….

A reply from a South Florida Reporter about Fox News contributor Mollie Hemingway’s tweet about the impeachment trial.

DM:

I don’t EVER want to hear Mollie Hemingway or whatever her name is- or anyone on Fox News- ever scream “blue lives matter” or “law and order” again. EVER.

And a few more emails about the Travis Mayfield story. I wanted to say thanks to the hundreds of Gay Journalists that emailed me their support. Here are a few:

Email:

Hi Scott,

I’m glad you decided to post the open letter. I’d hate for you to get “canceled” and it’s hard to prove someone’s heart. I hope the letter writer and his boyfriend are doing well.

As for Travis, I worked with him about 15 years ago. I remember him because he liked to make himself a victim. To Travis, I say, do you wear dresses when not on air? If so, rock that dress. If not, would that then be much different than, say, blackface? I would hate for someone in the Seattle DMA to feel victimized/bullied by Travis if he appropriates being trans. If Travis is coming out as trans, then I encourage them and want them to know that as their station is now owned by Fox (who owns the station I’m at too), there is an entire section in our handbook regarding the support that will be given to any employee who is transitioning.

Email:

First of all, gay men in TV news think they can be “extra” on social media because it’s “cool.” They try to be borderline salacious and somewhat risqué without coming off unprofessional. I’ll admit, as a gay man myself, the content is somewhat humorous in their postings. But for any gay man to be quick to play the “homophobic” card is absolutely down right silly. What do they expect when they are posting what they post? Then, to fall on the floor and flop around like a victim, for what? More attention? Gays think they can play by a different set of rules and that simply is not the case. We’re all equal. And, side note: you’re in control of what you post on your accounts. Don’t post something that’s “questionable” or “asking for it” and then cry when someone has the slightest reaction to it that isn’t rainbows and unicorns. You wrote it, not them. It’s 2021, and while homophobia shouldn’t be a thing, you know very well it is. So why bait them?

Email:

My 2 cents as a gay man on Travis Mayfield

Scott,

I looked at your original post and I didn't detect any homophobic comments toward Travis Mayfield. You were simply pointing out his poor wardrobe choice. That has nothing to do with him being Gay, straight or non binary. You have picked on many anchors over the years regarding wardrobe choices. That doesn't make you homophobic. It just makes you a critc.

Personally, I liked his Q-13 outfit and he's lucky he can get away with wearing such casual dresswear (no pun intended) on morning TV so good for him. My boss would never allow it.

My thoughts? Travis is doing a disservice to the entire LGBTQ community when high profile anchors pull the gay discrimination card for a post that clearly was not 'homophobic'. He needs to save his victim rage for real discrimination and not a silly post from you (No offense).

I think it is time to move on from this story. Travis Mayfield posted on Twitter that he never reads FTVLive and certainly that is his choice and I support that. But, if he had been reading FTVLive even casually for the past 2 decades, I believe he would have never called me a homophobe. That being said, many in the LGBTQ community are attacked and put down just for being who they are. Some are accused of being “sick” or “pedophiles” when clearly they are neither. Mayfield’s post and some of the replies gave me an example of being unfairly attacked. But, at the same time, when hundreds of Journalists in the Gay community reach out with their support and respect, it feels good. So, while it always sucks when you are attacked unfairly, there was still a bright side to all of this.

For that, I want to say thanks.