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WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids under fire for internal memo calling for less LGBTQ Pride coverage - Detroit Free Press

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A Grand Rapids TV station is coming under fire for reportedly telling reporters to cover fewer Pride events because it was upsetting conservative viewers as local and state officials vote to ban LGBTQ+ Pride flags from being displayed on city property and prevent teachers from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity.

"We know that West Michigan is a conservative area in many ways," a WOOD-TV memo said, according to thedesk.net, a website that covers the news media. "We need to recognize that some stories related to LGBTQ issues are going to be controversial and polarizing in our community."

The Free Press left messages with WOOD-TV managers.

Navigating Pride Month, an annual celebration for LGBTQ Americans, has become a challenge for companies and marketer as they face increasingly vocal opposition in the nation's current political climate.

The Hartland Consolidated Schools Board of Education narrowly passed a policy change Monday that restricts what kinds of signs, posters, flags, stickers and other items can be displayed in school buildings, according to the Livingston Daily.

The Hamtramck City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to ban LGBTQ+ Pride flags from being displayed on all city properties after three hours of public comment and months of intense debate, setting the stage for political clashes represented diverging views about the city's future.

More: Decades before Trump's charges, Detroit couple stole treasured National Archives letters

More: 10 of Michigan's most scenic hikes to take during the summer

And Florida passed a bill, which some opponents have called "Don't Say Gay," which bans teachers from having discussions about sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. Critics of the law included the entertainment behemoth, Disney.

Last month, Target moved Pride displays and merchandise away from entrances of some stores, saying the decision to adjust their plans was to protect workers under volatile circumstances after some customers screamed at employees and threatened to boycott the stores.

Anheuser-Busch is facing fallout after a marketing campaign with the transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. 

As for WOOD-TV, the news station suggested its reporters need not cover every Pride event, according to thedesk.net. The station added: "We need to do some work to discern the newsworthy-ness of the event. If we are covering Pride events, we need to consider how to make the story balanced and get both sides of the issue."

The Detroit MetroTimes, an alternative weekly, also reported on the station's memo, noting it said: "We have also started to hear pushback from viewers who are not happy to see those Pride related stories," adding that "while you personally may not agree with a certain position, people are entitled to their opinions and they are our viewers."

But some WOOD-TV employees have taken to Twitter to voice their concern.

"This memo was met with immediate pushback from our newsroom. The guidance is not being followed," a WOOD-TV executive producer posted on Twitter. "The only two people involved in its creation have been removed from any discussions surrounding @WOODTV Pride coverage as our corporation conducts a thorough investigation."

A WOOD-TV employee also posted to Twitter on Thursday: "It has been an awfully difficult week for our newsroom. The silver lining in this mess is that our staff is united in pushing back on this ridiculous and hurtful memo that was sent out."

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.

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WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids under fire for internal memo calling for less LGBTQ Pride coverage - Detroit Free Press
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