theFeed fear of spreading the virus, and will announce plans for those alternative celebrations as details develop. WABC Channel 7, which has in the past provided coverage prior to and during the Pride Parade, has announced it will broadcast a special programming event in June to communities across New York and the tri-state area, according to Debra O’Connell, the president and general manager of WABC-TV. “This virtual event will shine a light on Pride month and the incredible stories of unity and strength by utilizing the powerful reach of ABC-7, the number one station in the market, and the deep connection we have with our viewers and communities,” O’Connell said. “New York City is the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ rights movement. We’ve come a long way since the first Christopher Street Liberation Day March 50 years ago, which is a testament to the bravery and resiliency of LGBTIA+ New Yorkers in the struggle for equality,” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement. “While this pandemic prevents us from coming together to march,
it will in no way stop us from celebrating the indelible contributions that the LGBTIA+ community has made to New York City or from recommitting ourselves to the fight for equal rights.” The city has left open the possibility that some of the other 2020 Pride Month events may be rescheduled at a later time. In lieu of in-person events, NYC Pride will focus its efforts on supporting initiatives like Pride Gives Back, a grant program designed to support LGBTQ organizations that serve some of the most marginalized communities. Due to the success of the World Pride/50th anniversary of Stonewall celebration, NYC Pride has been able to increase the total number of grants offered through Pride Gives Back. “We are a community that thrives when we are united,” Correa said. “We may not fill the streets of New York City this year, but LGBTQIA+ people carry pride with them all year long. I have no doubt that we will be together again soon.” l
Daytime Drama
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Ellen DeGeneres says she loves her staff, but they claim mistreatment during COVID-19. By Rhuaridh Marr
LLEN DEGENERES MIGHT URGE HER VIEWERS to “be kind,” but staff on her daytime talk show claim their treatment has been anything but kind during the COVID-19 pandemic. DeGeneres returned to hosting The Ellen DeGeneres Show earlier this month after shutting down production in March due to COVID-19. The show is currently being broadcast from DeGeneres’ home, and she said that she wanted to return to the air earlier than expected in order to support her staff and crew. “I love them, I miss them, the best thing I can do to support them is to keep the show on the air,” DeGeneres said. However, according to key members of the show’s crew, that love and support has manifested as slashed wages,
uncertainty over the state of the show’s production, and a lack of interest in their mental and physical health from producers — despite some crew members having worked with DeGeneres since the show’s pilot episode in 2003. Variety reports that the show’s core crew of around 30 employees endured two weeks of silence from producers regarding their working hours or whether they would be paid after production was shut down in March. When producers finally did get in touch on April 10, it was to inform them that many of their wages would be slashed by 60% — or the equivalent of just 16 hours of work per week — despite the show returning to air. Not helping matters was that some staff only learned APRIL 23, 2020 • METROWEEKLY.COM
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