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20-Year Fox News veteran details coming out as gay while working at ‘craziest conservative network’
The Blaze ^ | May 7, 2017 | Sarah Taylor

Posted on 05/08/2017 12:06:28 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks

Shepard Smith, a Fox News anchor since 1996, revealed last week that he had no intention of opening up about his sexuality the way he did during an April speech at his alma mater.

Speaking at a conference, Smith was tapped to talk on a panel titled “It Starts With MEek,” one that was meant to promote inclusivity and diversity. According to a report made by the Clarion-Ledger, Smith changed his speech at the last minute to reflect the crux of the conversation and decided to tell his own story of inclusivity and diversity.

“It wasn’t until seven, or eight, or nine years ago, I started living my truth,” Smith told the crowd gathered to hear the panel. “I grew up in Holly Springs (Miss.). I went to the First Methodist Church. I went to Ole Miss. I was also trying to avoid what having a normal social life is. I didn’t need to go home and find my girlfriend or boyfriend.”

He revealed that he dropped out of college in 1987, just two credits short of graduating, and began working on television in Florida. Smith said that at that time, coming out wasn’t something he’d even considered. Married to Virginia Donald from 1987-1993, Smith didn’t really have the option.

“A. You’re going to hell for it,” Smith said about his internal battle over coming out as homosexual. “B. You’ll never have any friends again. C. What are you going to tell your family? And by the way, you’re on television on the craziest conservative network on Earth. That will probably put you in front of a brick wall. Of course none of that was true, but that’s how it felt.”

He continued, “I don’t think about it. It’s not a thing. I go to work. I manage a lot of people. I cover the news. I deal with holy hell around me. I go home to the man I’m in love with.”

Smith also took the time to stamp out old rumors that former Fox News chief Roger Ailes forbid him from coming out.

The Fox News reporter came out in October 2016 and noted that he never had a poor experience with Ailes.

“It’s such a wonderful place,” he told the Huffington Post in an interview about the Fox organization, “and it’s been home forever. [Ailes] was very fatherly and mentorish.”

About the reports that Ailes forced him to closet his sexuality, Smith denied it ever happened, but revealed that purported homophobic remarks made by Ailes in the past — but never around Smith — did hurt him.

“He was as nice as he could be to me. I loved him like a father,” Smith admitted. “I trusted him with my career and with ― I trusted him and trusts were betrayed. People outside this company can’t know [how painful that betrayal was]. This place has its enemies, but inside, it was very personal, and very scarring and horrifying.”


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Chit/Chat; Health/Medicine; Miscellaneous; Outdoors; Society; TV/Movies; Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: comingout; foxnews; graduation; homosexualagenda; lgbt; mississippi; newyork; olemiss; rogerailes; shemp; shepardsmith; speech
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To: PGR88

I believe you misread that sentence


61 posted on 05/08/2017 12:44:08 PM PDT by Nifster (I see puppy dogs in the clouds)
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To: jimbug

And he’s yet another subtle spokesmodel for the antichrist agenda; given a bully pulpit like so many others.

I like how he always gets his frowny, concerned face on when some liberal narrative is in danger. (what few times I’ve seen him, which is very few indeed). He’s a very concerned troll about President Trump; consistently.

He belongs at MSNBC right next to Lyin’ Brian Williams.


62 posted on 05/08/2017 12:44:45 PM PDT by SaveFerris (Hebrews 13:2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for ... some have unwittingly entertained angels)
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

Tell it to the islamists.


63 posted on 05/08/2017 12:45:23 PM PDT by onedoug
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To: Nifster
I believe you misread that sentence

Yes, I did.

64 posted on 05/08/2017 12:45:32 PM PDT by PGR88
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks
He's not going to "come out" at Fox like he did at a speech to his alma mater?

How many times does one have to "come out"? Once he's declared publicly that he is gay, the whole world knows.

Besides, with all that mascara running down his cheeks crying on-air while covering the aftermath of Katrina, everybody knows he is gay. He didn't need to "announce" it.

Why is it necessary for gays to "come out"? Why do they feel compelled to tell everyone what their sexuality preferences are? I've always felt my sexual preference was a private matter. I've never "come out" to tell everyone I'm heterosexual.

But then I'm not sure of these PC rules for declaring one's sexuality. Probably too late after 70 years for me to tell everyone I'm straight, huh?

I'm just sayin'.....

65 posted on 05/08/2017 12:45:44 PM PDT by HotHunt
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

Could Linda Graham be reached for comment?


66 posted on 05/08/2017 12:46:23 PM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn.)
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Shep is gay?


67 posted on 05/08/2017 12:48:00 PM PDT by Yo-Yo (Is the /sarc tag really necessary?)
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

Shep Smith, doing absolutely NOTHING to counter the stereotype that Homos feel threatened by real masculine hetero men.


68 posted on 05/08/2017 12:49:36 PM PDT by Darksheare (Those who support liberal "Republicans" summarily support every action by same.)
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To: MagUSNRET

I feel sorry for his ex-wife. I hope she found a nice man, re-married, and now has a happy life.


69 posted on 05/08/2017 12:50:27 PM PDT by Kalamata
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To: 48th SPS Crusader
What a disgusting person. Marrying a women even though he is a homosexual.

Well, at least he had no children. I knew an older guy who came out of the closet in his 50s and moved in with his gay lover. He had a wife and two teenage children. It was devastating for them. He was also Chairman of the Boy Scout Committee at our church. At least he stated that he intentionally had never had any interactions with the boys in the troop.

70 posted on 05/08/2017 12:51:46 PM PDT by DeFault User
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To: DCBryan1

Richard Simmons is gay too?


71 posted on 05/08/2017 12:52:27 PM PDT by OLDCU
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

Fag News Channel.


72 posted on 05/08/2017 12:54:27 PM PDT by TADSLOS (Reset Underway!)
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

They have clearly run out of stories when you have to interview a clearly gay man on being gay.

We should focus on what an idiot he is, rather than where he puts his tally-whacker.


73 posted on 05/08/2017 12:55:27 PM PDT by Vermont Lt
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To: Williams

That’s right. Replace him with Milo and I’d be just fine.


74 posted on 05/08/2017 12:55:55 PM PDT by aquila48
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

These yoyo’s think it’s all about them. News Reader Celebrities, give me a break bro’.


75 posted on 05/08/2017 12:56:39 PM PDT by ImJustAnotherOkie
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

Oh please, I heard back in 97 that Shep was “friends” of Brit Hume son who died. Everyone knew


76 posted on 05/08/2017 12:57:37 PM PDT by McGavin999
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To: 48th SPS Crusader
Marrying a women even though he is a homosexual.

Gay isn't a 'state of being', it's a choice of lifestyle.

77 posted on 05/08/2017 12:59:20 PM PDT by meyer (The Constitution says what it says, and it doesn't say what it doesn't say.)
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To: manc

That’s exactly when I stopped watching him. His blame gaming was nauseating. He wasn’t reporting.


78 posted on 05/08/2017 1:00:39 PM PDT by SueRae (An administration like no other.)
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

Wait! What?!? Shep is.... gay!?!?!?!?! I'm SHOCKED! SHOCKED!!!! How was he able to keep this on the down low for so long? He was soooo good at hiding it.

79 posted on 05/08/2017 1:01:28 PM PDT by bgill (CDC site, "We don't know how people are infected with Ebola.")
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To: McGavin999

I had a lobbyist friend who attended the 2004 Democratic convention. He happened to be at a party where Shep was, and said Shep was getting a BJ from practically every woman in the place. Publicly. Lewd and obnoxious.


80 posted on 05/08/2017 1:04:09 PM PDT by surroundedbyblue (Proud to be an Infidel & a deplorable.)
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