Stephen Brown

Brown has carved out a home and made his mark across Fox’s broadcast stations, but his career in television hasn’t always felt like a dream. “It’s a far cry from my first job in Hollywood where I was fired for being gay,” he says. “My experiences as a gay man, although cis-gendered, hetero-normative and white, inform the way I look at the shows we develop, the way we produce, the need for broader inclusion in hiring, and the need to fight against the general, white, hetero-normative bias we usually bring to media.” That homophobic act inspired him to take a stand when others weren’t. In the early days of Fox TV-produced “Divorce Court,” he refused to bend when viewers sent in letters complaining when the show featured LGBTQ+ and interracial couples. And when Brown searches for contestants for “You Bet Your Life” and other game shows, he makes a conscious effort to choose those who represent every corner of America. 

What is the state of LGBTQ+ representation in media? I think we are nearing a point where the totality of the many unique experiences of LGBTQ+ culture are being expressed on the various screens and platforms we use now. We tell more and more stories about those unique experiences and weave LGBTQ+ characters and personalities into the fabric of other programs. They help to make a colorful tapestry that reflects the totality of the human experience.  

How does your company encourage employees to bring their true selves to work? I am extremely fortunate to work in an inclusive company that celebrates diversity. I couldn’t ask for more supportive co-workers or bosses. It’s a far cry from my first job in Hollywood where I was fired for being gay. My experiences as a gay man, although cis-gendered, hetero-normative and white, inform the way I look at the shows we develop, the way we produce, the need for broader inclusion in hiring, and the need to fight against the general, white, hetero-normative bias we usually bring to media. I believe that perspective is valued by my boss and management here at Fox.

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