A KARK reporter shared on social media an email from a viewer who called him a disgrace to Arkansas and said he should be taken off the air.
Just before 1 p.m. Monday, Mitchell McCoy tweeted a picture of an email in which the author wrote: "I have been holding back for months, but I can't stand your gayness. ... Do not be offended, but society is not ready for gay men reading news."
In a comment on Twitter, McCoy said: "I get many emails, but this tops it. I've dreamt of being a reporter since I was nine, and I won't stop on your behalf."
"As public figures, our journalists often receive messages from viewers — some good, some bad," KARK news director Austin Kellerman said in an email. "It's part of our profession. Mitch is a great journalist, and we're happy to have him on our team."
In a later post, McCoy encouraged people to follow their dreams.
"The minute you stop is the minute you stop being who you are," he said. "It's not worth it."
The hashtags #DreamOn and #StepUpStopBullying were included in the message.
A phone call to McCoy was not immediately returned.
I get many emails but this tops it. I've dreamt of being a reporter since I was 9 and I won't stop on your behalf. pic.twitter.com/gyFCRHfPHi
— Mitchell McCoy (@MitchellMcCoy) May 23, 2016