Local Fox News Radio Cancels Show, Fires Host For Interviewing LGBT Advocate

A local Fox News Radio station in Reno, Nevada has canceled a public affairs program and fired the company that produces the weekly 30-minute show and its host because he interviewed an LGBT advocate. KKFT-FM (99.1) station manager Jerry Evans reportedly canceled Sean Savoy’s “House of Savoy,” and fired Savoy (image, right), an ordained minister, along with the production company, Nevada Matters Media, and producer Eddie Floyd.

“The interview touched on marriage equality, the recent Chick-Fil-A actions and a variety of topics related to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community,” GLAAD reports:

“Pulling an entire show to avoid hearing anything positive about LGBT people hurts all people in Reno,” said GLAAD President, Herndon Graddick. “By practicing such blatant discrimination, KKFT is sending a dangerous message that they believe LGBT people shouldn’t be given voice or afforded basic respect.”

GLAAD spoke with Savoy:

“To think I could be removed for having a conversation about the LGBT community in America baffles me. I have conducted a variety of interviews with a wide range of people over the past year, and yet this was the topic that got my show cancelled,” Savoy said of the incident. “I am shocked I could be censored in this manner, especially when there has been no prior complaint of the show’s content.”

Brody Levesque at LGBTQ Nation adds:

“I have always appreciated the variety of viewpoints expressed on my program. To think I could be removed for having a conversation about the LGBT community in America baffles me. I have conducted a variety of interviews with a wide range of people over the past year, and yet this was the topic that got my show cancelled,” said Savoy.

“Mr. Evans and his company certainly have the right to control their opinion,” Savoy told LGBTQ Nation. “But censoring any message that benefits the LGBT community is wrong and detracts from basic human rights. It means that he is gate keeping and not allowing the public to make their own informed decisions.”

Until his show was cancelled, Savoy had not been open about being gay himself, but the incident has prompted him to be more open about his sexual orientation.

Savoy had not made the decision to come out until earlier this year, and said there was considerable “soul searching,” as well as intense discussions with his inner circle, including his family and his partner.

At the time he was sacked, Savoy acknowledged that he was still hiding the fact that he is gay.

The House of Savoy’s Facebook page notes:

HOS is still without a home station. We are working on finding a new station and air time. Stay tuned. HOS was removed from 99.1 FM Talk (FOX News Radio affiliate in northern Nevada) after a year’s worth of programming due to an interview regarding LGBT (gay) rights, gay marriage, civil rights and other related issues. The interview with Mr. Will Kolb, a social commentator and LGBT advocate was quite reasonable and dignified and may be heard at www.seansavoy.com. It is unfortunate that this type of discrimination occurs today.

And

If we can draw attention to the discrimination that does not allow affirming voices to be heard on all types of media, regardless of bias, then we have done our job as advocates. It is important that listeners be able to draw their own conclusions about issues, especially concerning civil and human rights issues.

GLAAD adds:

Contact KKFT at 775-884-8000 or jerry@991fmtalk.com and ask why “House of Savoy” was pulled from the station. Tell KKFT that you want to hear fair and accurate discussions of LGBT equality on their station.

Or send a message via Twitter:

@991FMTALKNEVADA Shame on you for silencing @SeanSavoy Let LGBT issues be heard. #DontSilenceSavoy

Image via Facebook

Hat tip: Towleroad