NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–The CBS affiliate in Nashville, Tenn., is breaking new ground by launching a television show aimed specifically at attracting the city’s homosexual population.
NewsChannel 5+, a 24-hour local news and information cable station run by the affiliate, is partnering with a local homosexual newspaper called “Out & About” to produce the show, dubbed “Out & About Today.”
“We had a two-year initiative within NewsChannel 5 to make sure we’re looking at all parts of the community and addressing all types of people living in our community,” Richard Eller, marketing director for NewsChannel 5, told The Tennessean newspaper in Nashville. “At NewsChannel 5+, we have the air time to make available to address a specific audience with issues that matter to them.”
Out & About Today will feature news, entertainment and business segments geared toward a homosexual audience and is “the first of its kind,” according to the station’s website.
Three members of the Nashville homosexual, “bisexual and transgender” community will host the show, which begins June 11. Information about each host is available on the show’s webpage, and two of the three end their descriptions with references to their homosexual partners.
“Brent is excited to be a part of this groundbreaking show, and would like to thank his partner Allen for his continued support and understanding,” the last line of host Brent Meredith’s segment reads.
“Pam enjoys spending time with her partner Katy and her nephew and niece, Hollis and Hayden,” according to the last line of host Pam Wheeler’s description.
And host Jeremy Ryan’s introduction ends with, he “hopes to share his life and faith with the Nashville community,” although there is no reference to what sort of faith he would like to share.
Jerry Jones, publisher of Out & About, told The Tennessean that NewsChannel 5 approached him about the idea for the show.
“The TV show is important because it pushes Nashville ahead of a lot of major cities,” he said, adding that he has found Nashville to be much more accepting of the homosexual lifestyle in recent years.
Each episode of Out & About Today will air four times per month.
–30–
