WFMJ TV in Youngstown, Ohio, fired Community Relations Director Madonna Chism Pinkard after she posted a Facebook meme advocating for “Straight Pride” during Pride Month, according to Mahoning Matters.
Pinkard posted the meme on her personal Facebook page, where she is identified as the station’s Community Relations Director and uses the WFMJ logo in her profile picture. The post, which has since been deleted, featured a meme with a newlywed couple and captions like “Celebrate Straight Pride,” “It’s Natural, It Has Worked for Thousands of Years,” and “And You Can Make Babies!”
Pinkard quickly removed the post and apologized for offending viewers. On June 6, WFMJ announced an investigation into the unauthorized post, expressing concern over the incident.
On June 11, WFMJ confirmed Pinkard’s termination, stating their commitment to serving the community with respect and regret over her actions. Mahoning Matters reports that Pinkard did not respond to their request for comment.
