Fox 8 meteorologist fights back after being called gay slur in ‘disturbing’ email – NOLA.com

Thousands from New Orleans, the Mississippi Coast and beyond spoke in support of a New Orleans meteorologist after he received an email from a viewer calling him a gay slur.

David Bernard, chief meteorologist for WVUE Fox 8 in New Orleans, shared the email on his professional Facebook page over the weekend.

WVUE-TV is a trusted source for weather in Hancock County, as it is in the New Orleans DMA for TV news stations. A viewer, identified in the email as Stephen LaFrance, criticized Bernard for his weather forecast regarding rain.

“Nice job … predicting weather f****t,” the email said. Bernard called the email “disturbing” and shared more thoughts with his followers.

“After 30 years I can stand and accept the criticism when I get it wrong,” Bernard said on Facebook. “What I won’t accept are personal attacks about me.“

Bernard said the reader used his company email but did not post the company name.

Can’t see the screenshot? Click here.

After Bernard posted the screenshot of the email Sunday, thousands came to his defense on Facebook, including locals and other meteorologists and TV personalities from across the U.S.

“The amount of love always outweighs the hate, but it doesn’t mean the hateful comments don’t still sting,” said Scott Pilie’, an openly gay Weather Channel meteorologist who worked in New Orleans before moving to Atlanta.

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Other readers commended Bernard and the Fox 8 weather team for their reporting and noted how they loved learning more about Bernard’s husband and personal life on Facebook.

“I for one enjoy reading about and seeing pictures of you and Charlie (Bernard’s husband),” one viewer wrote. “It has no effect on how you forecast the weather.”

Another viewer wrote: “David, you are so beloved here in New Orleans, and this makes me so angry. Please know that so many of us love you just the way you are!”

Bernard responded to the support with a link to support The Trevor Project, a non-profit that focuses suicide prevention efforts for LGBTQ+ youth.

“I love all of you,” he said. “Let me make clear that I am doing OK.

“Being an out gay man in public has had its struggles, especially 30 years ago when I got into television, but because of the support of so many family members, friends and people like you it has gotten much easier. But the reality is it is NOT easy for many people still today who feel marginalized.”

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