{"id":51064,"date":"2017-03-10T12:00:38","date_gmt":"2017-03-10T17:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/san-antonio-tv-station-bans-local-activists-and-showcases-anti-lgbtq-activists\/"},"modified":"2017-03-10T12:00:38","modified_gmt":"2017-03-10T17:00:38","slug":"san-antonio-tv-station-bans-local-activists-and-showcases-anti-lgbtq-activists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/san-antonio-tv-station-bans-local-activists-and-showcases-anti-lgbtq-activists\/","title":{"rendered":"San Antonio TV station bans local activists and showcases anti-LGBTQ activists"},"content":{"rendered":"

San Antonio TV station bans local activists and showcases anti-LGBTQ activists<\/b><\/p>\n

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Take action<\/a>: call<\/a> WOAI and demand equal time for LGBTQ Texans<\/em><\/h2>\n

Last night in San Antonio, Texas, Sinclair Broadcasting Group television affiliate WOAI failed to bring balance and equal representation to a town hall special surrounding the state\u2019s Senate Bill 6 \u2013 a measure that would openly discriminate against transgender Texans.<\/p>\n

WOAI\u2019s town hall follows what has been a contentious week in Austin surrounding the debate around Senate Bill 6. Thousands of Texans crowded the State Capitol in opposition of the measure, but ultimately, the bill was voted through committee by an 8-1 margin \u2013 ignoring the will of the hundreds who testified against the measure.<\/p>\n

According to Equality Texas, panelists included two members of local anti-LGBTQ groups, the San Antonio Family Association and Texas Conservative Republicans, and just one person who identified as LGBTQ.<\/p>\n

If you were booking a television panel about a law that would harm transgender youth in Texas, wouldn\u2019t you include the voice of a transgender young person? Instead, the station thought that known anti-LGBTQ activists were the experts on the topic. This prompted local LGBTQ advocates, including many members of Equality Texas, to walk out during the event in protest and hold a counter press conference outside of the town hall event space.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

WATCH: Walkout happens near 12:00 marker.<\/i><\/p>\n

It is Journalism 101 to showcase accuracy and balance when covering stories \u2013 especially ones as critical as this. This should always include national network, cable, and local affiliates across the nation.<\/p>\n

Simply put, WOAI failed their viewers by hosting a panel that did not equally represent both sides of the Senate Bill 6 debate.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy failing to provide equal representation in the debate on Senate Bill 6 \u2013 a measure that would openly discriminate against transgender Texans \u2013 WOAI and the Sinclair Broadcasting Group are blatantly ignoring the basic journalistic responsibility of fairness,\u201d said Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD<\/strong>. \u201cWOAI should give equal time to LGBTQ Texans and real experts who know trans<\/a> students are the only ones who will be harmed by this discriminatory un-American policy.\u201d<\/p>\n

With the LGBTQ community under a barrage of attacks in Texas, in other states, and in Washington, D.C., now is the time to stand up and make our voices heard. We must fight back against open discrimination against marginalized groups.<\/p>\n

We need your help. Below is the contact information and names of WOAI\u2019s Program Director, News Director, and Public Affairs Coordinator. Reach out to WOAI and demand full and equal time for the LGBTQ community.<\/p>\n