KLIX/News Radio 1310 news director made his status as a gay man known on the radio last week - in the wake of the controversy over a parade float. Organizers of the Western Days event barred a float from a local gay & lesbian group last year - then put a set of very strict restrictions on the group this year (they could not use symbols like rainbows, etc.) KLIX news director James Tidmarsh told the station’s listeners about his sexual orientation - and stance on the story.
“For several years the Magic Valley has trusted me to inform them of the important issues. As a gay man, the issue of the Western Days parade is one not only important to those the western days committee is trying to blatantly silence, but to the perception of our great community as a whole,” he said.
Gap West management issued a news release in reaction to Tidmarsh’s statement:
Some of our listeners may have been shocked initially by the revelation that James is gay. However we trust his sexuality is not, nor has ever been an issue. The management of GAPWEST - Twin Falls will expect the same quality of fair reporting and news gathering from James that we always have. We also recognize his right to have an opinion, and in this case some may view it as a controversial one. While not necessarily reflective of the management or ownership of News Radio 1310 KLIX, we stand behind that right, as we do for any of our on air staff, and more importantly the listeners we serve.
Tidmarsh has been with KLIX for five years — and before that worked at KIDO/NewsRadio 580 in Boise.
Editor’s note: I don’t generally post about the people’s personal lives in this way… but a new release was issued. Keep the comments clean, please.
on Jun 4th, 2008 at 12:57 am
670 KBOI’s Nate Sheldman spent quite a bit of time on his show last week dealing with the parade and its impact on folks feelings etc….
on Jun 4th, 2008 at 11:36 am
James has many talents, and professionally it took a lot of chutzpah to come out as he did. Congratulations! Now he should move and work for a real group of radio stations! –just a joke dude. (sort of)
on Jun 4th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
CCSurvivor wrote “. . .move and work for a real group of radio stations!” I would say that any station or group that stands behind their employees the way they seem to be behind James, is for real. James has worked hard there and does a good job, it’s nice the group sees that and makes his sexuality a non-issue, as it should be.
on Jun 4th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
If I were wearing a hat, it would be off to James. Good Job! Small minds still try to restrict the rights of others here in Idaho and around the globe. I have the greatest admiration for those who stand up and speak out against ignorance and stupidity.
on Jun 4th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
I am glad they are standing behind their employee. Idaho is one of the many states that still has no protections in place based on sexual orientation (or perceived sexual orientation).
Way to keep the Clear Channel (one good thing about that company) line about non-discrimination, GapWest.
on Jun 5th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Thanks for the encouraging words guys..though I think the as Mitch pointed out the real courage came from management. My part was easy. So far the negative impact seems to be minimal. Now if they’d just let me give away that sunny California GLBT wedding pack during Rush….
on Jun 6th, 2008 at 6:55 am
As a programmer I had the pleasure of working with some of the best radio people in Idaho over the past 30 years. As a producer, James was the hardest working man at KIDO. He was extremely creative and an excellent self manager. I was proud of him when his skills moved from all nights to News Director in one step. Male, female, black, white, straight or gay, a great broadcaster is a great broadcaster.
on Jun 8th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
This story sent a warm glow through my heart, and a feeling that perhaps there is hope for Idaho after all. Thanks, James and GapWest. May we all soon live in a state and world where this is a nonissue, and stories like this are never necessary.