In 2002 I was at a bar called Hell in the Meatpacking District of New York City, which is where I met Shepard Smith. At the time, Shep was just coming to terms with his sexuality, and we spent a good deal of time talking about what it means for him to be a gay man. I’m not the first to report this.
Shep showed some interest in me–we were introduced via a mutual friend, an actor named Mark–but all we had was conversation. I thought he was a nice guy. I snapped photos of him and his female friend with the handkerchief on her head, whose name I have long forgotten. I sent him those photos.
But as I watch Fox News, and the diatribes they air and the complete reaming of reality that they undertake daily that only serves to incite the worst in Americans, I wonder: Shep – do you ever feel like you are selling yourself out completely just for your career? When you said “it gets frightening sometimes” did you really mean it? Your career is so developed that you could now hop to another network. Why don’t you? Why do you stay at a network that appeals to the worst in American society, and practices one of the most debased forms of infotainment?
At the time you and I met you at Hell, Shep, I was seeing someone and made that clear in our conversation; I would never have cheated. But through the years, as I watch what Fox News does, I wonder if you and I had started to date–do you date, or do you just have one-night stands?–whether I would be okay with who you work for and what you do every night. I don’t have an answer.
I imagine, Shep, that your career is fulfilling, but I also suspect that you go home every night and wonder what you are doing, and whether getting your face plastered all over the Rockefeller Center subway station and across America is worth it that you have found nobody with whom to build a life. You are alone, and you are probably frustrated that your personal life is in the crapper because you have sold yourself out.
You’ve already made your name, Shep. You just haven’t done anything with it beyond what every talking head does. You could start by coming out, and exploring a side of who you are more openly so that you are no longer terrified that it will endanger your working life. It won’t, and you’ve already banked your financial security.
Update: Why did I write this post?
Wikipedia photos to be deleted
NYC Wedding March – September 26, 2010
Joaquin Phoenix is a poser
Flushing Meadow Corona Park skate park
East Village Park and Williamsburg Bridge photos
100 People I Photographed for the Creative Commons
Pakistan flood devastation statistics
Cordoba House / Ground Zero mosque protest photos
The void in my blogging (and some photos)
Rihanna video with Eminem about Chris Brown?
I love Fox News and Shepard is awesome. I don’t care what he does in his personal life, and I’m not sure why the author of this article does. He probably made this all up anyway. He’s never met Shep. Shep makes big bucks. Shep is on the number 1 cable news channel. Mr. Shankbone has a lot to be jealous about.
I think you missed the point. It has nothing to do with the orientation of Smith. It has everything to do with the hypocrisy of Fox News, which–it would appear–puts profits over its own philosophies.
Twitter: davidshankbone
says:
Bingo!
JD:
Talk about a stereotypical liberal statement. HERE’S A REAL SHOCKER FOR YOU: There are many gay and lesbian people who are Conservative Republicans. There are minority groups ie: African American, Asian-American, Hispanic-Americans who love to watch Fox news and are Conservative Republicans as well. How about the hypocrisy of NBC/MSNBC/ABC/CBS/CNN….??? Oh! That’s right…they’re legitimized b/c they’re in the pockets of the liberal agenda.
How fucking dare you. If this is true and he opened up to you and you are now stabbing him in the back, shame on you. You have no right telling people when it is there time to come out if ever. It is nobody’s business but his what he does in his spare time, who he loves or who he sleeps with. I don’t care about this celebrity but people who think is is their right to dwell on others private lives or make the decision to out somebody else. People like that, and like you make me sick. Did you get some sort of pleasure out of this?
As a gay man you should know better.
Both Smith and Cooper should be left alone. They both choose to keep their persuasion a personal matter, which is admirable. Who cares really what their orientation is? Who cares which faith they are partial to? Who cares how they vote? It sounds like the author of this article took a page from the Perez Hilton handbook. It’s nobodies job to “out” someone. If that person chooses to share their personal information with the masses, then they choose to do so, and it should be on their terms. Get over it and leave these peoples personal lives out of your political statements. Shame on anyone who uses this tactic, right, left, communist, or national socialist..don’t matter.
I could not care less if Shepard is gay, straight, or bi. It is none of my business. He is a talented man who is making a contribution to society. Sharing personal information about a person is a sign of a lack of class. David is, in my humble opinion, mean spirited and classless.
No one cares if he’s gay.
What we hate is that he’s a flaming leftist moron who sucked up to Hezbullah while Israel was absorbing thousands of missiles fired from BEHIND women and children and AIMED at women and children.
I guess you couldn’t care less since they are all “breeders”.
Isnt’ that the language of you jerks who who think “fox caters to the worst….” ?
Keep rooting for Hezbullah and all the enemies of Israel and America- I hear they LOVE gays…. TO DEATH.
Yeah but FOX is not exactly a bastion of gay rights. It seems kind of hypocritical for him to be on their staff and be gay at the same time when FOX appears to be actively trying to combat the gay rights movement.
Come on guys the only way we GAY people will ever be equal is if we truly celebrate diversity and allow some of us “like myself” to be conservatives and disagree with the predominate left wing of our community. Shep is kinda queeny, but he is cool. Leave him alone. I disagree with those of our community that follow the party line of the ultra left. Sadly I am in a very small minority in my personal circle and often feel isolated by everyone.
NOT all gays are liberal – some ARE conservative – while I cannot speak for Mr. Shephard’s political ideology- I think the issue isnt fox news at all- the issue is that ones sexuality is PRIVATE whether youre gay or straight – it shouldnt be put out in public – its NOONE elses business
Please stop trying to control people and make them feel guilty!…..We all have a personal journey……..You have no right to tell Shep what he should do or not do……..Go away Nazi’s……..He can do whatever he wants to do!………and you can not do anything about it!
P.S. Anger is based on fear!