Sunday, August 22, 2010

Out Spotlight

Today's Out Spotlight is a fixture in New England news and has been one of the most recognized faces in Boston for the past 27 years. During his career he has been the news anchor for all three major news stations in the Boston area. A throwback to the traditional anchorman he not only delivers the news, he is a newsmaker in his own right, becoming the first openly gay newscaster in the United States. Today's Out Spotlight is Randy Price.

Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Price attended Louisiana State University, where he got his start in broadcasting on college radio. He continued his career while serving in the U.S. Air Force, working for Armed Forces Radio and Television. After completing his commission he went on to work as television news reporter at KERO-TV in Bakersfield, California, then moved up the ladder to a bigger market and a new job in Toledo, Ohio as the anchor of WTVG News.

He then made the move to Boston, one of the top media markets in the country, in 1983 coming to WBZ-TV where he anchored the evening news for 12 years, becoming one of the most familiar faces in Boston. In 1995, he was arrested for driving under the influence, his second offense, and pleading no contest he attended court-mandated counseling and resigned from WBZ. Price called the arrest a professional and personal wake-up call. Having to sit out for a year as part of his non compete clause in his contract, he used that time to focus on his recovery and build his a home in Kittery, Maine, which he shares with his husband.

"The better part of my career has come after that. It was the beginning of my most successful chapter in what I do."

A year later he joined WHDH-TV as a freelance reporter, and then was promoted and back in the anchor chair in 1997. First starting as the morning anchor and then being promoted to anchoring the 5, 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts. He consistently won the ratings race for the 11 p.m. news. On February 6, 2009, he was let go from WHDH-TV. The following day The Boston Globe quoted him saying that station owner, Ed Ansin, had told him "we need to move in different directions." The word was that Price voiced his complaints about how the station sensationalized the news for flash more than presenting for substance, to management and there was a distinct difference of philosophy. Just four months later on June 2, 2009, Price was named morning anchor at WCVB-TV.

During Price's distinguished career in Boston he has been honored with numerous humanitarian and professional awards, including a national Edward R. Murrow Award for best newscast, the broadcast industry’s highest honor.

He is also known for his work on behalf of gay rights and is active member of the Boston and New England LGBT communities. After being the first news anchor to come out in the US, he is a role model for up-and-coming gay broadcast journalists and for members of the Boston gay community. He has been active in Boston's Pride celebrations and has grand marshaled the annual Boston Pride parade several times. He has served as a guest and keynote speaker for many LGBT groups and events all over New England, and has hosted the annual prom for Boston area LGBT teens, sponsored by the Boston Alliance of Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender Youth.

Price met his husband Mark Steffen at a bar while working as a reporter in Bakersfield, Calif., in the late 1970s. As they say opposites attract, for them, both in personality and looks, and they connected right from the start.

"He was on television, but I really didn't watch television," says Steffen, who radiates a mellow Californian surfer vibe, while Price comes off as energetic and animated. "He was dark and intense."

"Mark is more into the big picture. I'm more of Mr. Fix-It," says Price. "He's everything to me. He's so much that I admire -- the honesty, the integrity."
(Boston Globe)

In the mid-1980s, Price had been living with Steffen for almost a decade, and had grown tired of reading stories about his personal life that did not mention his longtime partner. Readers could see him at home with his dog, and his other interests, but something was missing. "All these things about my life. And never one — not one mention — of do I live with anybody, what's the story of my personal situation. … They didn't ask any of those questions because they knew the answers." And Price confessed, "I probably didn't push the point." So one day he opened up to a reporter about his relationship and their life together.

"It wasn't a big secret revealed, but I was very interested in talking about it because our business is supposedly about facts and honesty. I had the real fortunate circumstance of having a relationship with viewers, people knowing me for the totality of who I was except for that one element. It's about me as a person. I live with a guy. I have a very long, successful relationship."

Price believes that his open and frank honesty about his sexual orientation has translated to credibility with his viewers.

"It's connecting to people. The more things change, quite possibly, the more people will gravitate to some elements of familiarity. People who watch me know what my sensibilities are. Whether it's the success of Charlie Gibson, Brian Williams, or myself, it's because people have a trust in what you're doing. They just sense what you're about. I'm not an activist. I am proud of who I am.

Price and Steffen were married on January 3, 2007 in a ceremony on the steps of the Massachusetts State House. It took place on Mitt Romney's last day as governor, which made it make national headlines. While some thought the ceremony and date was a media stunt it was in fact their 30th anniversary.

"When we got married," Steffen said, "the cards and letters we got from people we never expected. It was a very moving experience. [Being gay] is not something we discussed that much. It's not something we tried to hide."

More than a decade after Price began answering those questions about who he is, he is amused that some still see those answers as irrelevant. "People ask that question," "Like, 'Well, you know, is it really necessary for you to discuss your sexual life with everybody?' And I go, 'Well, you know, I never really thought I was discussing my sex life. … I said I'm a gay person, I live with another guy, and I have a long-term relationship. If I don't tell you that, then there's really no foundation for us having an exchange about who we all are."

Price and Steffen live in Kittery, Maine, with their award winning American Cocker Spaniels. They are known in the dog show world as Cutt Island Cocker Spaniels, and are proud owners of Champion K-Line N Cutts Beyond-A-Doubt (Rudy) the top-winning Cocker Spaniel in breed history with 35 Bests in Specialty Show. Along with his Best in Specialty Show record, Rudy has also won 7 All-Breed Bests in Show - which is more than any other Brown Cocker in history.

Cutts Island Cocker Spaniels

63 comments:

Methodical Muser said...

What a wonderfully uplifting post for a Sunday morning. Imagine, thirty years together. Isn't that something everyone would want to have in their lives. And, dog lovers too. Awww. My kind of guys. Hmmm. Opposites attract, huh? Given the theme of this blog, I would say that kind of magic just might be contagious. Thanks, Special. Another informative and heartwarming Spotlight.

dina said...

Hai M&M,

Nice comments you left as "Checklist" in the comments of the previous post. How do we know this?

Checklist said "...towing the Ted party line..."

It's actually toeing the line (quick, off to Google you go LOL), and you made the same blunder in a post under your M&M moniker a few days ago.

Just another OMG hypocrite it seems.

Methodical Muser said...

Wishing won't make it so. Not me. Sorry. As you can see by my posts I have no problem revealing who I am or what I think. Try again.

Florida Tom said...

Nice post SK. Although Anderson Cooper doesn't seem to hide his sexuality and never has bearded it would be awesome to see him come out. It has to be career related.

prairiegirl said...

That was a fantastic story. What a busy life this guy has. It's great to see how the mistakes/mess ups we make in our life become a step towards something better. This guy learned from one that he made and used it to catapult himself towards aiming to be a better person. That's awesome.

Lookit those dogs. LOLLLL. That one looks like a retriever or something. He's pretty big.

Hey, Special, you're kind of weird-ing me out. You gave us those tweets about a Born to Run movie. And back on the 17th, you had made Born to Run a theme of your post. And now there's this picture on Flickr of Jake with Peter S. where this blogger guy says maybe they were there doing research for the movie, possibly?

I wouldn't doubt that's him; it is kind of hard to tell because it's his back and then the guy that he says is Peter, Peter's head is down but it does look like it could be Jake. You can see the Rumplestiltskin beard and the pants are saggin' (mmm hmm....slacking on the yoga, Jake!! One must work for that taut gluteus maximus constantly you know, buddy!). I'm not good at all at i.d.'ing Peter. Oh wait a minute, I found another deal. This was a comment on a blog called joghard:

Friday, August 20, 2010
It's all over but the running...
I'm checked in, weighed in (at a robust 154 pounds- that's a gain of over 10 pounds since the beginning of the year). I've seen Hal Koerner and hung out with Brandon and Mr Sweeney (who was being short with me... obviously here to race, not chat with friends). Jake Gyllenhaal was at the pre-race meeting in disguise of sorts. Actually, he blended very well with the trail crowd with a big beard. I think they are making a movie. Kind of cool. All the high peaks were covered in snow when I drove in bu tit's already gone. Bummer really. I was hoping to to run in some snow. Race start is supposed to be about 39 degrees. Which is in a few hours! Alarm is set for 2:45am. Holy sh!t that's when some bars close.
I'll blog as soon as I'm done and back to the room. Thanks to everyone for the awesome support!
http://joghard.blogspot.com/



Wow. 39 degrees! In August. Jake must've been in full Arctic gear. LOL.

Hey Destiny, if only we had known this! We could have sent you on a scouting trip!! Although I don't know where this Leadville is.

Kind of exciting news!

prairiegirl said...

Okayyyyyy, finding out more here. This sounds like really cool news! Here's more:

Great Wall of China bicycle ride might become a future movie
by Gene Bisbee at 05:00AM (PDT) on August 20, 2010 | Permanent Link | Cosmos


There hasn't been much news lately about Frank Marshall's ("Indiana Jones", "Bourne" series) plans to make a movie about Lance Armstrong's life.

But there's another bicycling movie in the works. Filmmaker and retired bicycle adventurer Kevin Foster says he has a commitment from the Chinese government for funds to produce a film about his own life.

Why make a movie about Kevin Foster, you ask?

Twenty years ago Foster made headlines by becoming the first person, and an American at that, to ride his bicycle over a thousand miles of what was left of the Great Wall of China.


edit.

He said the Chinese government is putting up $25 million to produce the film with the working title "9 Dragon." He's meeting with others in Hollywood to come up with the another $25 million to meet production goals, and he's already thinking about the cast (he mentions Jake Gyllenhaal in the Foster role and Kathy Bates as his mother).

Wow, so this thing would likely film in China, wouldn't you think? Wouldn't that be something.

prairiegirl said...

Just think - lots of spandex.



lol.

Special K said...

It is kind of spooky isn't it PG.

Now who of the two (J&A) is really going to end up running their ass off?

If Jake is interested in the adapting the book Born to Run to the screen, think he would end up running a whole lot more than Austin is planning too.

Here is an article with a little background about Jake there with author Chris McDougall and the bit about the book.

Jake at the Leadville with author Chris McDougall?

It there there is a link to a one of the Leadville runners blogs with with the picture of Jake and Peter.

Brand Fuller Leadvile Race

Looks like Jake and Peter were there on Friday. (Which fits with the tweets on Friday night) Haven't heard if it was a one day scouting trip or a multi day look.

prairiegirl said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
prairiegirl said...

Thanks for those links, Special. That's the same picture that was on flickr.

Well, looks like Jakey's already run his ass off. LOLLLLLLL!!

Awwwww...sorry, sorry! Couldn't help it. It was like...just right there, and couldn't resist it. One just cannot pass it by.

Methodical Muser said...

I just hope Jake doesn't start a fund raising campaign to help pay for production costs. *wink*

Florida Tom said...

Jake will always be the Gay Cowboy Jack Twist. I wonder if he is proud of that or wishes he could lose the label.

Viento del Nordeste said...

Hooray! We love Randy. Thanks for another great Out Spotlight! :)

needs clarification said...

Did I miss the answer to my question about which guy Austin is, in yesterday's second pic? I skimmed thru the comments but I swear I didn't see any, except for the sarcastic one.

You probably think I'm being sarcastic with my question about which guy it is, but I'm not. I honestly cannot tell. What's interesting is the guy with his back to the camera has sideburns that kind of match the other guy in photo #1, so is it Austin or not?

Why is it so damn hard to get an answer here? You guys are something else. Don't worry, I won't be asking a fourth time. But you can bet your ass I'll be telling others how you ignored me and a simple honest question....why should they bother reading a blog that does that?

Methodical Muser said...

You mean the picture posted above the one of Maggie's photo?

Special K said...

In the second picture you can see the profile of Austin with his hair cut for the part in Full Count/Lenexa 1 Mile, the movie's that having the wrap party. He is talking to the guy who's back is to the camera and has his hand on the guys back.

needs clarification said...

You mean the picture posted above the one of Maggie's photo?

Yes. Sorry if I didn't describe it enough:

needs clarification said... LOL which guy in the white shirt in pic #2 is Austin, the guy on the left or the guy with his back to the camera?
August 21, 2010 10:47 PM

needs clarification said... Again: which guy in the white shirt in pic #2 is Austin, the guy on the left or the guy with his back to the camera? Please answer because I can't tell which one is Austin. Thanks.
August 22, 2010 2:54 AM

Methodical Muser said...

Thanks, Special. The reason I didn't respond yesterday was because I thought the person was joking. After all, who can't see where Austin is in the photo? It's pretty obvious.

needs clarification said...

OK thanks Special. (finally) Was I supposed to recognize him with that haircut? You have to admit the other guy with his back to the camera, looks a lot like Austin. Same coloring, short hair, ears and back. I can't believe I had to ask three times before I got an answer. Unbelievable.

needs clarification said...

The reason I didn't respond yesterday was because I thought the person was joking. After all, who can't see where Austin is in the photo? It's pretty obvious.

Not everyone has been an Austin or Jake fan, forever. You expect everyone to recognize a pic over 8 years old, with someone in a different haircut, and with another someone who could be a twin?! I would think you would know by now what a sincere question is and what joking is, on this blog, by now.

Methodical Muser said...

It does look just like Austin. No one needs to be a fan forever. It was understandable that folks thought you were joking. Probably, being snarky about it, doesn't invite people to be responsive. A simple thank you would have been enough.

:-) said...

I'm so happy you've decided to take the reins on this blog, M&M. I always look forward to your loquaciousness.

Step aside SpecialK, we have a new sheriff in town.

Methodical Muser said...

Since you seem interested in wanting to school me on blogger etiquette, let me return the favor.

If you consider five simple sentences loquaciousness, you've got an odd definition of the term. Not only with relation to the superlative, but in terms of the method of communication. Loquacious is appropriately used when commenting on someone who is talking, not writing.

Oh, and by the way, thanks for appointing yourself the uber-blogger patrol. Special probably was on a coffee break and you felt she needed a surrogate. How altruistic of you. Don't expect to be compensated, though. No one asked you to serve. :-)

AUS10 said...

oh poopy, Austin is coming back. i will tweet more later. kisses and hugs
38 minutes ago via web

probably Eat, Pray, Love. (for the third time) then take a shower. healthy dinner. and curl up on the couch for a little sex and city
41 minutes ago via web

my perfect weekend. wake up early. yoga. followed by a healthy but delicious brunch. swim in the sea. lay in the sand. read a good book.
42 minutes ago via web

Anybody ever feel like a walk on the beach with a glass of wine. nice sunset. maybe a good cry?
about 1 hour ago via web

Austin stepped away. I have the floor now. And i am feeling very sensitive and emotional. I need to let some stuff out. -Julian
about 1 hour ago via web

my alter ego, SensitiveJulian sometimes takes over. dont be alarmed if he highjacks my twitter and posts super sensitive messages sometimes
about 1 hour ago via web

Special K said...

Oh Julian you didn't need to tell us that we knew how sensitive you are. We've seen season 7.

Some days you just feel so unappreciated and objectified. Who knew how tough it is to be the trophy boyfriend of BrookeDavis(TM)

Have a little chocolate, you can run it off tomorrow.

AUS10 said...

I saw what julian did. He is in time out for hacking my twitter. about 2 minutes ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®

prairiegirl said...

No one needs to ever apologize for not answering a question.

This is not a court of law.

And how utterly polite that commenter was, too, after their demand was met, followed by more rudeness and snark.

As all lurkers and regulars observed yesterday, OMG was w/o question under troll attack which started out as unprovoked. And as evidenced multiple times now, there have been 2 regulars verbally ranted at, even cursed by a fellow regular in disguise. So i think it's understandable if there's a lack of trust now. Unless anyone as a commenter wants to speak under a trusted name, they do run the risk of being mistrusted. Fair? Maybe not. But those of us who are willing to put it out there will not be made to feel guilty for something as non-life threatening as not answering a question.

And look what happens when you do. Yeah, don't everyone jump at once.

Special K said...

AUS10 said...
I saw what julian did. He is in time out for hacking my twitter.


Sounds like Austin has had practice putting people in time out. ; )

the real m said...

Late to the party as usual so I missed much of yesterday. Anyone who can not see that it's Austin in both pictures does not want to see it, will never see it and it's useless to argue with them. They still think the world is flat despite satellite photos and can't handle the concept that Jake is gay.

Despite the bearding, I think Jake and Kirsten genuinely liked each other. The relationship was useful to both of them.

kel said...

And how utterly polite that commenter was, too, after their demand was met, followed by more rudeness and snark.

Talk to the hand, hon

ihj said...

Jake Leadville

FED UP said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
AUS10 said...

Austin had a beer and passed out. Uhhhhh. I'm gonna fall asleep now, dreaming of my future with Brooke. Our house. And kids. Gnite.
about 1 hour ago via web

Shhh. Julian here. Just got out of a nice warm bath. Watching Pretty Woman and painting my nails marshmellow. cutest color ever.
about 1 hour ago via web

prairiegirl said...

I love that little TM you always put after BrookeDavis, Special.

LOL.

Marshmellow nail polish. Made by Essie.
a bouncy, sheer white, perfect for a French manicure

$8.49 on amazon.com

twitter said...

pineappleroof: @AUS10NICHOLS i fear that Julian may be slightly gay. 31 minutes ago via web

HydesBride: @AUS10NICHOLS Aaaww you and Julian are adorable!! I love that he's your Schizophrenic alter-ego now!! :D about 1 hour ago via web

lbocca: @AUS10NICHOLS Does Julian become gay in Season 8 or what's up with the marshmellowish nails?! ;)about 2 hours ago via Echofon

prairiegirl said...

^^^ DON'T CLICK ON THAT.



I'm getting a warning about that link. What made me suspicious was I went to IHJ first and they had nothing new up.

prairiegirl said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
kel said...

^^^ DON'T CLICK ON THAT.

Talk to the hand, sweetchops

prairiegirl said...

03:52 - thank you.

All that did was reveal how badly you want particular discussions on here stopped.

lol said...

. . . c o n s p i r a c y

prairiegirl said...

Interesting thing. I've watched several documentaries on serial criminals. A common trait amongst them is the size of their ego and how they love the notoriety and attention that their acts bring to them. They feed off of that. And frequently, it's that psychological need which causes them to eventually be trapped. Because one time too many, they get a little sloppy.

They develop patterns. They leave calling cards. They blab somewhere else, get a little loose with the mouth.

They just can't help it.

Fascinating trait. I reckon that could be applied in other areas as well.

Just a thought! Just thought I'd share that. Okay, I'm off!

prairiegirl said...

Because that link will be getting deleted, it should be noted how it appeared. It was identical to all the other I Heart Jake links. It was simply,

ihj said: MORE LEADVILLE

posted @ 03:52.


See what I mean about patterns?

Anyway, I'm taking steps to protect myself. I've spent too many $100 fees and now one $200 fee from stupid Geek Squad due to criminal maliciousness.

I'm not clicking on any more links and I won't put any up. LOL, not that I put up the top drawer links, anyway.

I reckon I can describe what I see and tell what site I saw it on. Or I'll wait until Special puts it up if it's something newsworthy.

But that is internet crime, that's what that is.

lurker said...

Thanks prairie girl for the warning. I find it bizarre why someone would put viruses on this site. Is it safe to even visit this blog?

Morbidly Moist said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
To the blog owner said...

I've just spent an hour trying to get rid of a trojan virus that I got from a link on this site. I see that you have now deleted the evidence. I'll be reporting this site as infected to blogger.

Special K said...

Rainy Monday just got up. Saw the whole thing about the link.

I marked it as spam, so Blogger will be notified. And deleted Jack's latest as well.

One tip when you see a link and not sure if you want to clink on it.

If you are using the pop up window for comments:

Put the cursor on the link, DO NOT CLICK.

at the bottom bar of the pop up window, it will show you the link that your cursor is on and where clicking should take you.

For IHJ - it should say IHJ in the link not, the name of a reastaurant or anything else.

If there is another link someone puts up check it that way, if something really looks out of place don't click on

Special K said...

I see what you are doing. And this is not a new angle for you. Don't think all of your shenanigans have not been sent on to blogger. Why do you think we were in the first round of blogs to get their newest spam filter.

prairiegirl said...

I've just spent an hour trying to get rid of a trojan virus that I got from a link on this site. I see that you have now deleted the evidence. I'll be reporting this site as infected to blogger.

The blog isn't infected. The link is. That's not how viruses work.

Boy, that's a new one to try and deter readership.

Exhibit B - false claim at 08:50 ET.


lol. Don't you just love it? I know I do.

Excellent tip, Special. Thank you. I didn't know that.

stupid trolls said...

The trolls are getting desperate, trying to shut down the brilliiant discoveries documented here about the true nature of Jake and Austin's relationship.

Don't be so naive said...

That's not how viruses work.

A virus may also send a web address link as an instant message to all the contacts on an infected machine. If the recipient, thinking the link is from a friend (a trusted source) follows the link to the website, the virus hosted at the site may be able to infect this new computer and continue propagating.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_virus

ted said...

Dear Ted:
Regarding Toothy Tile and Baby Tile, can you give me a little dirt on the surrogate he used. Was she a friend/relative of his or his partner's or a random choice? Is she still in Baby Tile's life? I'm fairly certain on Toothy's identity and this piece of the puzzle would clench it for me!
—SarahTV

Dear Baby Mama Drama:
Ah, Baby Tile, one of my fave Blind Vice sagas! And such an adorable story if you think about it. Don't you just wish Toothy and Grey Goose didn't have to keep their little one a secret? As for the surrogate, suffice it to say, it was a business transaction, in so many ways.

Bitch Back

nice try said...

Blogger blogs are part of Blogger domain. Blogger checks sites on their own domain for viruses.

dina said...

SarahTV = desparate OMG moonbat

Only child said...

their little one

Sounds again like Ted is saying there is only one little BT.

Special K said...

See Jack(Dina)can't leave us this morning.

About Ted's latest.

The letter did ask about Baby Tile only and Ted is usually very literal about answering just what is asked and that's it.

destiny said...

Adorable pictures with the story today. Great story too.

Cannot believe what lengths trolls are going to. I hope you reported it all Special.

Special K said...

10:21 Why try to do it again with another link? Think it would work?

one is enough said...

Sounds again like Ted is saying there is only one little BT.

That's exactly what I thought. There probably is only one BT.

Tweety said...

Austin had a beer and passed out. Uhhhhh. I'm gonna fall asleep now, dreaming of my future with Brooke. Our house. And kids. Gnite.

Aus10

retweety said...

Gee whiz. Austin brazenly keystroking his lifelong dream. I'm shocked. Shocked I tell you! You mean he's really going to settle down with Sophia, have kids and a white picketed fence yard? Awwwwww. A home of their very own. I don't know why we ever doubted him. Or, Jake for that matter. Because we all know how truthful that boy is! (snicker)

the real m said...

Well I guess one Baby Tile is enough to keep hidden, though Ted has certainly hinted in the past that another was around. If there were 2, they would at least have each other for company.

the real m said...

He did not say Sophia. He said Brooke, a character in OTH.

Special K said...

M - I wonder how Ted would answer if someone asked him directly how many there are. And saying Baby Tile he might skirt around it, but asking if Baby Tile is the oldest or big brother or sister might get a more firm answer.