Student protests Fox 45’s stance on marriage

The Fox affiliate now denies initial claim of a directive from 'Corporate.' (Website screen shot)

Baltimore TV station WBFF Fox 45 angered some local marriage equality supporters on Friday when it posted a prominent link on its websiteto the official referendum site aimed at overturning the recently passed Civil Marriage Protection Act.

Shane Messick of Middle River, Md., quickly organized a petition drive on Facebook called “Stop Fox 45 Baltimore’s Support for Inequality” to protest the station’s apparent support for the referendum. He is a leader of the CCBC-Essex Rainbow Club, a group for LGBT students at the college.

Messick’s petition explains, “Fox45 is the biggest network in Baltimore and a lot of MD. They are promoting people to sign the petition so gay marriage goes to a public vote, and trying to stop it from happening at all. A news network should not be allowed to do this.”

So far more than 100 people have joined the protest.

“My civil rights are in the hands of people that are not affected by the outcome. Fox 45 is helping people promote inequality without helping people show their support for equality; I want the news, not their opinions,” Messick told the Blade.

WBFF FOX45 is owned by the Sinclair Broadcast Group. You can contact the station by calling 410-467-4545 or, email news@foxbaltimore.com.